SPEECH BY

 

 

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

 

 

AT

 

MALAYSIA-MALDIVES BUSINESS FORUM

 

 

28 APRIL 2025 (MONDAY)

3.00 PM – 4.00 PM

 

 

GRAND HYATT HOTEL,

KUALA LUMPUR

Assalammualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Salam sejahtera.

1. My dear friend and President of the Republic of Maldives, The Honourable Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and ministers both from Maldives and Malaysia, both the same and the chamber fraternity and business community from both sides.

2. Thank you very much for giving the initial support. This is very important initiative on the part of Invest Maldives. As you have heard from the speech of the President, it’s clear that Maldives now has embarked on a new journey. They’ve been long time friends. We are familiar with their policies, the political system and their friendship. But I think with this new emerging government leadership, we have seen, for example, the determination to ensure that Maldives move up the ladder with clarity of policies.

3. I just mentioned with the president that we have a political system which is stable and the clarity of policies. Investors, both Malaysia and elsewhere wanted that clarity. And not only that, it’s clear, but it is committed to a comprehensive development, a sustainable economy, environmentally friendly even in terms of tourism, which is ecotourism.

4. And in our discussions this morning and in the afternoon, we have stated very clearly, the need to move together in new direction including digital, AI and where we can share part of our experience and the President and his team will share their experience. I think there is a spirit that giving meaning to bilateral relations in terms of trade and investment.

5. So, I think this is a good beginning. I would certainly encourage our colleagues, our business community to organize our teams to go at least we are assured of the support, the range of ministers, Trade, Finance and related key ministries are here and share them and see this potential in Maldives. At the same time encourage some of them to also continue to invest here.

6. You see one of the key strategic moves that many countries now have to embark after these uncertainties, you know, really as a result of the new tariff announced by President Donald J Trump. But we realize that as emerging economies, we also have to work with one another. That is why for Malaysia, we stressed on the importance of intra ASEAN trade investments and move beyond to our neighbors, good friendly neighboring countries, attractive to investments and friendly in nature and treat us as close friends.

7. So, Maldives is of course one particular example where we can not only embark on people to people, sort of relationship which have been excellent. Thank you, many students here, graduates from here, but more than that now and of course our Malaysians going there as tourists, but now move up the ladder to new fields of activities, particularly in the trade and investment, and as I have said, we need, you need and we need new markets, new investments and the dependent, totally dependent on the traditional markets.

8. That’s why other than ASEAN’s neighboring country in Asia, we have decided to join BRICS, for example, because there’s opening up to the new markets and potential investors and investment opportunities; Brazil, South Africa, Egypt and Russia. And of course, we are also enhancing our collaboration with Europe. Understanding the fact that United States has been traditionally one of the highest investors into Malaysia, it’s continuing to do so. Most of the new technology, technological giants are here and continue to invest, but for standing consideration, I share the expression by the President that we need to force this sort of collaboration and alliance.

9. And I would, you know, because it’s the role of the private sector, the role idea of invest Maldives and the participation of our friends here to encourage the private sector. There is a limit what government and government companies can do. So, I certainly to use this occasion, knowing the President and the team and their desire to enhance their collaboration with us, I would certainly encourage them to do so.

10. I mean, at least go on a visit to this magnificent beautiful country that I watch from the documentaries, and from there you can further fathom the strength and the beauty and the potential investments in the country.

11. I am here Mr President to just honour you and listen to your ideas and also your serious commitment to encourage Malaysia to participate. But I think gives me, which is quite rare for me to be present in this sort of occasion. But you can see that there is a difference because I want this relationship to be strong, secure and based on task beyond this diplomatic relationship.

12. I’m not discounting the importance of Foreign Ministry or diplomacy, but I’m saying it’s beyond that. And, in the short occasion, of course, I know and I followed. We have been in communications, but certainly meeting him, you know, for hours today, certainly make a difference.

13. And I’m like to thank you on behalf of the government and the people of Malaysia for you to honour us with your presence and to be with the cabinet members and also the business community.

Thank you very much.

Assalammualaikum.

Similar Posts:

• GOVT SUPPORTS ESTABLISHMENT OF INNVOVATIVE, HIGH-GROWTH COMPANIES – PM ANWAR
• MDEC, DEPA INK MoU TO STRENGTHEN DIGITAL ECONOMY COOPERATION
• PM ANWAR RECEIVES CALL FROM PAKISTAN PM
• MALAYSIA, EGYPT STRENGTHEN COOPERATION, EXPLORE POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIPS IN NEW INDUSTRIES – PM ANWAR
• PM ANWAR RECEIVES COURTESY CALL FROM NEWLY-APPOINTED MALAYSIAN DIPLOMATS