Anwar, Muizzu to discuss efforts to strengthen Malaysia-Maldives ties

MALÉ: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will hold a meeting with Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu today, the main event of his two-day official visit to the island republic.

Anwar is scheduled to begin his official programme at the President's Office at 9am local time by attending the Official Welcoming Ceremony at Republic Square, before holding a one-on-one meeting with Muizzu.

Both leaders are expected to discuss efforts to strengthen bilateral relations, including trade, investment and tourism, besides exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to explore new areas of cooperation, while the Malaysia-Maldives delegation meeting afterwards will discuss further steps to expand bilateral ties.

Anwar and Muizzu are also scheduled to witness the exchange of memoranda of understanding related to defence and Islamic affairs before holding a joint press conference.

Anwar's itinerary continues with courtesy calls on the Vice President of the Maldives, the Speaker of the People's Majlis and the country's Foreign Minister separately at Niva Kurumba in the afternoon.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to attend a press conference with the Malaysian media before attending an official luncheon hosted by Muizzu.

Malaysia-Maldives diplomatic relations were established in 1968, with cooperation between the two countries also covering trade, investment and people-to-people relations.

In 2025, the Maldives was Malaysia's sixth-largest trading partner in South Asia, with total bilateral trade valued at RM792 million, while Malaysia's exports to the Maldives amounted to RM786.2 million.