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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was given a red-carpet welcome during his official diplomatic visit to Türkiye, complete with a full state ceremony at the Presidential Complex on Wednesday (7 January).
Anwar was personally received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with both nations’ anthems; Negaraku and İstiklâl Marşı played in honour of the occasion. The ceremony also featured a formal guard-of-honour mounted by the Turkish Presidential Guard.
The official visit, at the invitation of President Erdoğan, forms parts of efforts to further strengthen longstanding bilateral ties between Malaysia and Türkiye.
Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani formed his entourage for the visit.
Here are a few highlights of Anwar’s visit:
1. Anwar receives the Order of the Republic
Anwar was conferred the Order of the Republic, Türkiye’s highest state honour, in recognition of his role in strengthening bilateral ties between Malaysia and the republic.
President Erdoğan presented the honour during a ceremony at the Presidential Complex during Anwar’s three-day visit.
Malaysia’s total trade with Türkiye from January to November 2025 stood at RM21.2 billion, The Sun reported.
In 2024, Türkiye was Malaysia’s third-largest trade partner, largest export destination and fourth-largest source of imports among West Asia countries, with total trade valued at RM24.15 billion.
Anwar said in a statement that he accepted the conferment with deep gratitude and humility, not in a personal capacity but on behalf of all Malaysians.
“This conferment also symbolises the close friendship that has long been forged between the two countries, founded on trust, mutual respect and shared aspirations for global peace and prosperity,” he said.
2. Courtesy call from secretary of Turkish Defence Industries
PMX received a courtesy call from the secretary of Turkish Defence Industries Prof Dr Haluk Gorgun on the second day of his official visit.
A meeting on Wednesday (7 January) lent a platform for constructive discussions to further strengthen defence cooperation between Malaysia and Türkiye in capability development, technology transfer, as well as training and human capital development as key pillars of a sustainable national defence industry.
In keeping with regional security interests and national sovereignty, they also discussed current defense company partnerships between the two nations, with a focus on taking these alliances to a more strategic and all-encompassing level based on complementarity and mutual benefit.
3. Bilateral trade worth US$10 billion well underway, says Anwar
A ten billion dollar (RM40.6 billion) bilateral trade target between Malaysia and Türkiye has been set as a realistic benchmark, according to Anwar. He attributed it to complementary strengths and expanded cooperation under the newly established High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.
Anwar, who also serves as finance minister, said Malaysia’s expanding expertise in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, data centres and rare earths, combined with Türkiye in education and research, would make the partnership even more meaningful, according to a report by Free Malaysia Today.
Erdoğan said: “I sincerely believe that through our joint efforts, we can achieve this (US$10 billion) target in a balanced and sustainable manner. We desire to bring dynamism to trade ties between our countries, and for Malaysia to increase its investment in ours.
The Turkish president added that future cooperation could extend to the halal industry and Islamic finance, which hold strong potential for both countries.
4. Malaysia and Türkiye sign seven documents strengthening strategic cooperation
Erdoğan and Anwar signed seven accords on 7 January aimed at enhancing strategic collaboration in a number of high-priority areas.
The Joint Declaration on the Establishment of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) was one of the documents signed at the Presidential Palace.
A letter of approval for the purchase of a Multi-Purpose Mission Ship (MPMS) between Desan Shipyard and the Malaysian Ministry of Home Affairs was also signed.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) in the area of information and communication technology (ICT) was also signed between the Republic of Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
The Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia (ISIS) and the Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research (SETA Foundation) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on research cooperation in the areas of political, economic, and social studies.
The signing of a financial cooperation MOU between EXIM Bank Malaysia and Turk Eximbank and an investment cooperation MOU between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) and Invest Türkiye significantly boosted Malaysia-Turkey financial and investment cooperation.
The minutes of the first meeting of the Malaysia-Türkiye Joint Committee on Higher Education were also shared between the two nations.
5. Wreath-laying ceremony at Anıtkabir Mausoleum
Anwar was given the honour of performing the wreath-laying ceremony at Anıtkabir, where Mustafa Kamal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, is enshrined.
“I was taken on a tour of the mausoleum complex that brings together the historical narrative, sacrifice and vision of Türkiye’s development.
“This visit provided space for deep reflection on the meaning of leadership, devotion to the homeland and the importance of values in building a just and dignified future,” said Anwar in a Facebook post.
The wreath ceremony serves as a formal tribute visiting heads of state and dignitaries to honor Atatürk’s role in establishing a secular, democratic nation.
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Key Moments From PM Anwar Ibrahim’s Official Visit To Türkiye
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