Malaysia and Maldives deepen ties with new cooperation in floating solar, defence, and digital tech, signaling stronger South-South collaboration in innovation.
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| Malaysia and Maldives sign new MoUs to collaborate on defence, green energy and digital development, boosting bilateral ties during Muizzu’s visit to Kuala Lumpur. Image Courtesy: The Star |
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — April 28, 2025:
Malaysia and the Maldives are expanding their strategic partnership into future-facing sectors such as floating solar power, defence cooperation, and digital technology, marking a significant step in bilateral relations. The announcement came during a joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, held by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a four-day official visit to Malaysia.
Prime Minister Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, emphasized the vast potential for collaboration between the two maritime nations. “There are now new areas where we need to collaborate further, including floating solar, defence and digital technology,” he stated, stressing that cooperation will be guided by shared interests and mutual benefit.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to deepening existing ties in education, tourism, sports, and healthcare. Malaysia’s longstanding educational engagement with the Maldives, including through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), is now expanding into STEM fields and technical and vocational education and training (TVET). New initiatives will also promote university-level academic exchange and professional development in areas like diplomacy.
Both leaders oversaw the signing of three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and two diplomatic note exchanges covering a range of sectors. The agreements are intended to strengthen institutional collaboration and enhance people-to-people connectivity between the two countries.
Anwar expressed Malaysia’s full support for President Muizzu’s environmental advocacy on the global stage. “We are with him on this… We support the strong expression voiced by the President,” Anwar said, referring to Muizzu’s calls for international action on climate change—a crucial issue for the low-lying island nation.
President Muizzu’s visit, his first since taking office in November 2023, is at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar. The visit has featured high-level meetings between ministers from both countries, signaling a renewed push to elevate Malaysia-Maldives relations.
Anwar praised the spirit of the discussions and emphasized the symbolic and strategic importance of the visit. “It shows the importance we place on our friendly neighbour—though geographically distant, the Maldives is a beautiful and valued partner,” he remarked.
Economic ties between the two nations are also on the rise. Malaysia’s total trade with the Maldives grew by 4.3% last year, reaching US$189 million (RM862.7 million), making the Maldives Malaysia’s sixth-largest trading partner in South Asia.
As the two nations look ahead, their shared maritime identity and mutual commitment to sustainable development and technological advancement are likely to shape a more dynamic and resilient partnership in the years to come.