VERBATIM TEXT

SPEECH BY

 THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRHAIM

PRIME MIINISTER OF MALAYSIA

DURING

STATE BANQUET HOSTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE MALDIVES IN HONOUR OF YAB PRIME MINISTER

15 SEPTEMBER 2026

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Assalamulaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuh.

 

My respected brother, friend, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Sister Sajidha Mohamed, Vice President, Ministers, ladies and gentlemen.

 

It’s not always that we encounter true friendship and build a trust during our visits, be it diplomatic or personal. But I must confess that President Muizzu has the capacity in his quiet, reserved style to charm the Malaysians. So, sister, be aware (joking).

 

And I must say that my delegation is extremely delighted to be here among friends, but trusted friends. We share common aspirations we understand our limitations. You said yours is a small country, Malaysia is relatively small, although a bit larger than the Maldives. But we, Mr. President, should not despair. Small countries with a big heart, and that’s what the world needs now. With that passion to reform, to ensure that we have good governance, to rid excesses in our countries and societies, to display responsibility in world affairs, not displaying arrogance of power, and to show that might is right.

 

And therefore, let me express this with all sincerity that we look to Maldives as a country that holds these principles and values, not only friendship, there is a passion to fight and defend what is right.

 

There are too many contradictions and hypocrisy in this world. We have neighbors building distrust, displaying arrogance and causing fear among the smaller nations. This is what not what a civilised society should behave.

 

So therefore, my brother President, I trust your leadership, your commitment, your desire to transform this country because it has enormous potential. You are blessed with a country so beautiful, attracting interest worldwide to come and see this island.

 

There was a joke some years ago that it’s sinking may take too long a time, but at least it reflects your concern about this climate change, and I expressed like I did this morning, our despair again when people talk about climate change, but do not honor.

 

Maldives is not responsible at all. What carbon emission is here? What environmental degradation is here? But you suffer because of the excesses of many of the industrialised countries.

Similarly, Malaysia 54% of Malaysia remains forest and jungle. Mind you for a developing economy, an emerging economy that’s not an easy feat, it’s a major challenge and for those countries who have destroyed, caused what we call in the Quranic term “Fasād fi al-ardh”, on earth and you see, now, not making clear moves. You see COP after COP.

 

And what they committed in the last few COPs, they have not even honoured 20% or 30% of their commitment. Now I come here to share your concern, and mind you, Mr. President, we should be louder in our assertion to protect our people, to protect their rights, to survive as a nation.

 

So, that’s why I said we will share. Bilaterally, I’m very fortunate. I mean, Malaysia becomes one of the few attractions for Maldivians to stay, learn, but I remind my friends in Malaysia that, you know, there’s not for us to display arrogance. This is what we need to share. That’s why when the President mentioned about this financial currency swap arrangement, I immediately said yes, we agree. Let the Central Bank and the Monetary Authority here work out the details, but without hesitation.

As I said, this was a country who need friends and honor the friendship, and we’ll certainly do and, in fact, just now I did speak to the Governor of Central Bank to help facilitate the process and not to use the normal channels, but to accelerate the process. Again, this is because we do consider this strategic partnership with Maldives as important.

 

Now, countries, Foreign Ministries normally have this Joint Commission. We have not had one, so the plan is to have it sometime mid next year. Thank you again, Mr. President we have instructed our ministries to complete that Joint Commission meeting, Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur host before the end of this year. Otherwise, the Foreign Minister will have his place. No.

 

So, I mean the others like education, and I think First Lady Sajidha, you are also concerned about the issue of mental health and the disabled, there is no reason why Malaysia, in a small way, could not adopt and assist in that exercise. Because in our MADANI philosophy and framework in our country, the issue of care and compassion is important. Everybody talks about clamouring reform and change and aiming for the skies in terms of new technology, digitalisation, artificial intelligence. But we together share this view.

 

Number one, yes, we have to claim and achieve what is there in the skies, the new technology, digitalisation, AI, but we are rooted in our faith, our moral values, and our ethics.

 

And therefore, it requires this understanding, that clarity in evolving our desire to be good human beings to raise the quality of karamah insaniyah. “Walaqad karamna bani adam”, that Allah has exalted the children of Adam for humanity at large, Muslims and non-Muslims throughout the world.

 

So, the details we mentioned briefly in our joint press conference, but I’m here just to conclude in saying that I’m delighted together with my friends in the delegation, to be here. The President kept on saying it’s short, but I tell you the deliberation is long rarely do I have the President sitting with me in an informal dinner until midnight.

 

Sister Sajidha did not complain, but then she realized the President came back very late, but she was with me in this meeting and the whole morning today until this lunch, you are with us. So, that shows an extraordinary friendship and trust and affection among brothers and sisters.

 

So, thank you very much.

Wassalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.