Malaysia, Maldives to boost ties in floating solar, defence and digital tech, says PM Anwar
PUTRAJAYA, April 28 — Malaysia and the Maldives are aiming to expand cooperation into new areas such as floating solar, defence and digital technology, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
Noting that both countries are maritime nations, Anwar, who is also finance minister, emphasised that the potential for collaboration is vast and continues to grow across multiple sectors, based on mutual benefit.
He said that existing collaborations already cover areas like education, tourism, sports and health.
'There are now new areas where we need to collaborate further, including floating solar, defence and digital technology,' he said during a joint press conference with Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a four-day official visit to Malaysia, which began yesterday.
This is Muizzu's first visit to Malaysia since becoming president in November 2023, at Anwar's invitation.
In education, Anwar said Malaysia's collaboration with the Maldives, which includes the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), is now expanding to include Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
'... it is now extending to STEM, TVET and higher education, university exchanges, sports, health.
'As we have seen, (today we) exchange of notes in training diplomats, (and) bilateral consultations,' he said.
Anwar also expressed Malaysia's full support for President Muizzu, who has been vocal in urging the international community to prioritise environmental protection.
'We are with him on this, and we follow with great interest and we support the strong expression voiced by the president,' he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar expressed his satisfaction with the series of meetings with Muizzu and bilateral discussions with ministers.
'You see, we have a large number of ministers, both from the Maldives and from Malaysia, that shows the importance we place on our friendly neighbour, although quite a bit distant, but a beautiful country,' he said.
Earlier, Anwar and Muizzu witnessed the exchange of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and two Exchange of Notes (EoN) covering various sectors to strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit.
In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with the Maldives increased by 4.3 per cent to RM862.7 million from RM827.3 million in 2023, making the archipelagic nation Malaysia's sixth-largest trading partner among South Asian countries. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Bursa Malaysia ends marginally higher amid cautious regional sentiment
KUALA LUMPUR: Bursa Malaysia closed slightly higher today, with the key index climbing 0.18 per cent, supported by buying in utilities and telecommunications heavyweights, despite softer regional sentiment due to profit-taking and caution surrounding the United States-China trade deal. At 5pm, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose 2.78 points to 1,526.62 from Wednesday's close of 1,523.84. The benchmark opened 3.87 points higher at 1,527.71 this morning, and subsequently moved between 1,523.22 to a high of 1,528.72 throughout the session. On the broader market, losers thumped gainers 500 to 379, while 530 counters were unchanged, 986 untraded and 17 suspended. Turnover fell to 2.73 billion units worth RM2.07 billion compared with yesterday's 3.27 billion units worth RM2.59 billion. Rakuten Trade Sdn Bhd equity research vice-president Thong Pak Leng said the FBM KLCI edged higher with buying in selective heavyweights such as utilities and telco stocks, while key regional indices finished mostly lower due to profit-taking following gains over the last few days. "In addition, market sentiment was dampened by US President Donald Trump's threat to impose new trade tariffs on major economies, while investors remained cautious, awaiting further details on the US-China trade deal," he told Bernama. Elaborating on the local market performance, Thong noted that the benchmark index remains in consolidation mode despite closing higher over the past two sessions, as it still needs to break above the 1,530 resistance level and sustain that level for a longer period. "As such we anticipate the FBM KLCI to trend within the 1,520-1,530 range towards the weekend," he added.
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
High-profile cases now wrapped up in six months
Published on: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 12, 2025 By: Bernama Text Size: Azam said one of the main factors that enabled the shorter investigation period was the improvement of investigation modules and systems by reviewing outdated elements in the commission's procedures. - Bernama pic BANGI: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has shortened the investigation period for high-profile cases from one and a half years to just six months, thanks to the implementation of new approaches, including upskilling officers and utilising the latest technology. MACC Chief Commissioner Tan Sri Azam Baki said one of the main factors that enabled the shorter investigation period was the improvement of investigation modules and systems by reviewing outdated elements in the commission's procedures. Advertisement 'In the past, one high-profile case could take us about one and a half years to complete the investigation papers, but now we can complete them within six months. Secondly, we enhance our officers' skills and knowledge. 'About 10 years ago, we needed to dispatch many officers to conduct surveillance. But now, we just use technology to locate suspects and witnesses. So, in a very short period, we can locate the suspect or the person we want to find,' he said. Azam said this at a press conference after attending the 2025 MACC-NTU International Law Enforcement Programme Convocation here today. In addition, Azam said the MACC has also established strategic collaborations with external parties to strengthen its investigation capabilities, especially in technical aspects and financial forensics. He said international cooperation also plays a vital role, particularly in tracing and recovering assets located abroad. 'We also collaborate with many parties. For example, our collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Accountants helps us with asset tracing and forensic accounting,' he said. On the need to increase staffing, Azam said that although there was a rise in the number of reports from 2020 to April 2025, totalling 34,819, mass recruitment of MACC officers is not the primary solution to strengthening anti-corruption efforts. 'I do not see that adding a large number of MACC officers is the solution to combat corruption in this country. The most important thing is our approach,' he said, adding that during the same period, 5,145 investigation papers were opened, leading to the arrest of 5,703 individuals. He said that out of these arrests, 2,479 individuals were prosecuted and 1,274 were subsequently convicted in court. The MACC also recorded significant financial enforcement outcomes, including the seizure of RM3.54 billion in assets and the forfeiture of an additional RM27.87 billion. At today's convocation, 250 people graduated from the programme, and they have now been appointed as new MACC officers. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Barnama
2 hours ago
- Barnama
Trump Says US Is Evacuating Personnel From Middle East As 'It Could Be A Dangerous Place'
ISTANBUL, June 12 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- United States (US) President Donald Trump said Wednesday that American personnel are being evacuated from locations in the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran because "it could be a dangerous place, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported. Speaking to reporters before attending the opening night of the award-winning musical Les Misérables at the Kennedy Centre, Trump acknowledged the withdrawal while maintaining his firm stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions. "Well, they are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place. We'll see what happens. We've given notice to move out," he said when asked about reports of personnel relocations.
