DPM Zahid: Malaysia eyes stronger defence ties with Turkiye, with focus on technology transfer

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi receives a courtesy call from Turkiye’s Council of Higher Education president Prof Dr Erol Ozvar in Istanbul during his four-day working visit to the country. — Picture via Facebook/zahidhamidi.fanpage

First Published: Saturday, 07 Nov 2026 9:14 AM MYT

ISTANBUL, Nov 7 — Malaysia views its defence cooperation with Turkiye as a strategic avenue to strengthen its technological capabilities, deepen bilateral relations and contribute to regional stability in South-east Asia.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the partnership extends beyond the procurement of defence equipment to include knowledge and technology transfer, while opening up opportunities for broader cooperation in economic, technological, educational and diplomatic fields.

He said military diplomacy was equally important in ensuring South-east Asia remained peaceful and politically stable, particularly amid growing competition and influence from major powers.

“Military diplomacy is also important because we would like to see South-east Asia remain a peaceful region. We have to maintain political stability in Asean as a whole, as we must try to prevent superpowers from exerting influence over Asean member countries,” he said during a session titled “Turkiye From Regional Power to Multi-Regional Actor” at the TRT World Forum 2026 here yesterday.

The session also featured the Director of Foreign Policy Studies at the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), Prof Murat Yesiltas; Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Rich Outzen; American Arab Centre President Farah Al-Atassi; and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the rural and regional development minister, expressed strong confidence that deepened defence and technological cooperation will propel both nations toward realising their ambitious US$10 billion bilateral trade target, while creating a more balanced and vibrant trade relationship.

“From the perspective of both countries, the target is achievable, especially with Malaysia’s procurement of defence and security equipment. We have already received the Littoral Mission Ship (LMS) as well as unmanned aerial vehicles,” he added.

Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Turkiye currently stands at US$5.6 billion, with both countries agreeing in Jan 2026 to raise the figure to US$10 billion within the next five years.

The target reflects their shared commitment to expanding economic ties, with Malaysia among Turkiye’s key trading partners in South-east Asia, alongside Singapore.

Malaysia and Turkiye established formal diplomatic relations on June 17, 1964, and have since maintained close cooperation across various sectors, including politics, trade, economy and education.

The TRT World Forum 2026, themed “A World Without a Centre: Who Leads When the Rules Run Out?”, brings together political leaders, policymakers, academics, media practitioners and civil society representatives from around the world to exchange views on pressing global issues.

Among the prominent Malaysians who have participated in the forum over the years are Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2018 and 2019, former international trade and industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz (2019) and public health expert Prof Tan Sri Jemilah Mahmood (2020). — Bernama