From Mohd Fharkhan Abdul Ghapar
MALE (MALDIVES), Sept 15 (Bernama) -- The exchange of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) on defence cooperation and Islamic affairs was among the key outcomes of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s two-day official visit to the Maldives, which also opened up broader avenues for economic, trade and human capital development cooperation.
Anwar’s first visit to the island republic since becoming Prime Minister in November 2022 saw bilateral ties, established in 1968, strengthened through more concrete cooperation in strategic areas, as well as the commitment of both countries to enhance relations at various levels.
The two MoUs, signed and witnessed by Anwar and Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, were the MoU on Defence Cooperation and the MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Islamic Affairs, which, among other things, cover maritime security, training and the defence industry, as well as Islamic education, the halal sector, religious administration, waqf, haj and human development.
Anwar said that the exchange of the two MoUs would strengthen existing cooperation, while providing Malaysia and the Maldives with opportunities to leverage their respective experience and expertise.
Anwar’s one-on-one meeting with Muizzu at the President’s Office, here, today, followed by a delegation meeting, also focused on efforts to expand economic and trade ties between the two countries.
Among them is the proposed Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA), which will be studied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and his Maldives counterpart, to determine the areas and products which could be given priority.
Malaysia and the Maldives also agreed to strengthen cooperation in investment, tourism, education and human capital development, as well as exploring new areas which could bring mutual benefits to the people of both countries.
“Bilateral ties must begin with a sincere appreciation of each other’s needs and strengths, as well as the respect we have for one another at the personal and national levels,” said Anwar.
Malaysia also agreed in principle to support the Maldives’ application for a USD100 million financing facility, which Anwar described as a form of soft loan to be implemented through the monetary authorities of both countries.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said that the terms and mechanism for the facility were still being worked out by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA).
To ensure that the agreements reached are translated into action, Anwar also proposed that a Malaysia-Maldives Joint Commission meeting be held in Kuala Lumpur before the end of this year, to further advance bilateral relations between the two countries.
Apart from the bilateral agenda, Anwar and Muizzu also exchanged views on regional and international developments, with both countries demonstrating a common position, particularly on the issue of Palestine.
Anwar expressed appreciation for Muizzu’s and the Maldives’ firm stance in defending the rights of the Palestinian people, while reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to peace, justice and the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Beyond the various concrete outcomes of the visit, Anwar also conveyed a broader message on the role which small countries can play in addressing global challenges.
Anwar said Malaysia and the Maldives understood their respective limitations, but the size of a country should not be an obstacle to playing a meaningful role in the international community.
Apart from his meeting with Muizzu, Anwar also received courtesy calls from Maldives Vice-President, Hussain Mohamed Latheef; People’s Majlis Speaker, Abdul Raheem Abdulla; and the Maldives Foreign Minister.
The meetings, among others, further strengthened ties at the leadership level and touched on efforts to expand cooperation in higher education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), professional training and human capital development.
The close ties between the two countries were also evident upon Anwar’s arrival in Male when he was personally received by Muizzu. The Prime Minister was also accorded a full ceremonial welcome at Republic Square, a prominent landmark in the capital of the island republic.
The Sept 14-15 visit was at Muizzu’s invitation, and was a reciprocal visit following the Maldives President’s official visit to Malaysia in April 2025.
Anwar was accompanied by Johari, Human Resources Minister, Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, and senior government officials, as well as Malaysian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Badli Hisham Adam.
The Maldives was Malaysia’s sixth-largest trading partner in South Asia in 2025, with total bilateral trade valued at RM792 million, while Malaysia’s exports to the republic amounted to RM786.2 million.
-- BERNAMA