Page 134 - VC Message

Leading with Purpose
Messages of the Vice Chancellor OP ED & RENCANA MEDIA

Malaysia’s emerging role as a middle
power and a regional power balancer.
Diplomatic engagements have intensified
under Erdogan and Malaysian Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with
visits and agreements strengthening
bilateral ties.
Anwar’s 2023 visit to Turkiye set the
foundation for deeper synergy of
partnership in economic fundamentals,
defence and humanitarian and global
commitment.
This set a new framework for current
consolidation of ties across these areas,
and Malaysia is now seen as a vital partner
for Turkiye in economic, supply chain,
energy and food security, and resilience.
Various future-driven strategic tenets can
also be formed, in seeing through the many
agreements and strategic partnerships
that have been formed and sealed during
Erdogan’s visit here in Malaysia, and a
Strategic Dialogue Council can serve to
institutionalise foreign policy coordination
and monitoring of the implementation
of the various projects undertaken, with
126 supervision by the highest levels.
The personal bond and friendship between
Anwar and Erdogan remain the pinnacle
of the hallmark of the close ties between
both nations, and this has enabled faster
and more efficient ventures of closer
coordination and in transcending issues
The state visit by the President of Turkiye, cultural ties that have evolved into a long- or challenges that arise.
H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Malaysia term resilient and strategic partnership.
cements the deep-rooted partnership Both are influential Muslim-majority
of both nations pillared on historical nations, projecting forward-looking Growing Trade Relations
friendship, trust and bond at the highest partnership in trade, defence, new critical
level right to the elevation of people-to- technologies, and global leadership and Turkiye and Malaysia have further boosted
people relations. trade relations, both in their expanded
diplomacy. economic friendshoring intent.
The synergy and shared visions and Under the great visionary leadership of
aspirations of both countries signify the President Erdogan, Turkiye has further In 2023, bilateral trade exceeded US$4
new era of strategic ties that are not only cemented its growing status as a global billion, where Malaysia helped to support
confined to official diplomatic relationship power and a stabiliser in managing Turkiye’s new economic growth by
that encompasses government and conflicts and upholding peace, further providing palm oil, electronic products,
economic cooperation, but transcend expanding its role and influence in both the LNG and rubber as the main sources of
the conventional spectrum of Track I Muslim world and the wider geopolitical exports, while Turkiye provided machinery,
and II diplomacy, in a frontier where arena. iron, steel and defence equipment.
cultural, technological, human capital and Both complement and support one
systemic linkages and interdependence Both nations are proponents for a peaceful another’s strategic needs with increasing
form the quintessence of future-driven and harmonious global society, and have shared interdependence in future areas of
resilience and connectedness that serve been committed in championing the rights critical needs.
as a beacon of stability and contributor to and justice for the underprivileged and the
the region and the world. oppressed, and supporting the causes of This includes new shared returns on
Palestine and others. the arena of the advancement of the
Both Turkiye and Malaysia share common semiconductor industry, defence, the
aspirations of regional and global Consistent multifaceted cooperative green and digital economy, the blue
responsibilities in preserving stability and capacities have also been forged under economy, new energy transition, supply
peace, and upholding the tenets of justice, the banner of the Organisation of Islamic chain resilience, critical minerals and the
equitable growth and prosperity. Both Cooperation (OIC), and Turkiye further joint advancement and development of
share strong diplomatic, economic and complemented and strengthened human capital expertise both in mobility of