Malaysia and the Maldives have agreed to expand their cooperation in maritime security, defence training, and Islamic affairs following the signing of two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. The agreements were formalized during Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to the Maldives, which concluded on Tuesday.
Speaking after the exchange of documents at the President’s Office in Malé, Anwar highlighted the Maldives’ emphasis on maritime collaboration, citing its identity as a maritime nation. “The Maldives places great importance on maritime cooperation, including security, training, and maritime safety,” he said, affirming both countries’ commitment to pursue these areas further.
The MOUs cover defence cooperation and Islamic affairs, including sectors such as the halal industry, waqaf (Islamic endowment), dakwah (religious propagation), and haj. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu described the agreements as foundational for deepening practical cooperation and strengthening institutional links between Malaysia and the Maldives.
“Today, we witnessed the exchange of new cooperation agreements in two important areas, which are defence cooperation and Islamic faith,” Muizzu said. “These agreements open new avenues for practical cooperation and further strengthen the institutional foundations of our bilateral relationship.”
During a joint press conference, Anwar also proposed convening the Malaysia-Maldives Joint Commission in Kuala Lumpur before year-end to address pending bilateral issues and convert the close diplomatic ties into substantive cooperation. The commission is expected to provide a platform for discussing various topics, including the welfare of Maldivians residing in Malaysia.
Anwar noted that Malaysia hosts more than 2,000 Maldivian students, reflecting confidence in the country’s education system. He raised concerns over bureaucratic challenges faced by parents accompanying their children, saying these issues were not rooted in policy but rather administrative hurdles. He expressed optimism that such matters would be addressed promptly at upcoming Cabinet discussions.
On healthcare, Anwar indicated that Malaysia would seek to resolve outstanding cases involving Maldivians requiring medical assistance, aligning with the nation’s Madani framework of compassion and care. He also mentioned plans to review matters related to the Maldives’ diplomatic presence in Malaysia during future bilateral talks.
The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1968, with ties continuing to deepen through high-level visits, development initiatives, and strong people-to-people connections. Anwar’s visit marked his first to the Indian Ocean nation since assuming office in November 2022 and took place at the invitation of President Muizzu. The MOUs signed during this visit signify both nations’ intent to elevate cooperation in key strategic and cultural sectors.