Malaysia and Turkiye have reaffirmed their commitment to bilateral relations with a special focus on defence, energy security, science, and technology.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is on a two-day official visit to Malaysia starting Feb 10, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a joint statement, President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed the continued importance of this important sector to strengthen cooperation and address common challenges where Malaysia and Turkiye have jointly expressed their recognition of the Malaysia-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement (MTFTA), which has been in force since 2015.
“The establishment of a government-to-government mechanism for the procurement of defence products in June last year is recognised as an important step in this direction,” the statement said.
The statement informed that the cooperation was also proven through various procurements, emphasising active cooperation in the fields of science, technology, and the defence industry. Thus, a strategic defence ecosystem was created to explore new areas of cooperation, including technology transfer, joint development, and manufacturing.
According to the statement, Malaysia-Turkiye is confident that cooperation in the defence industry can increase capabilities. Both leaders agreed to strengthen efforts to combat crime, especially cross-border and organised crime, as well as all forms of terrorism.
The exchange of information and experience in handling the issue was also identified as a key area of cooperation.
Energy security was also highlighted as a priority for both countries.
“Both sides believe in the need for dialogue on key raw materials to realise future clean energy projects,” the statement said.
President Erdoğan’s visit also launched the DESAN Shipbuilding project for the Malaysian Coast Guard Command.
The procurement documents for the Turkiye ship were part of an 11-document exchange ceremony held by President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya today.
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Awang Alik Jeman, and the Chairman of the Desan Shipyard Board, Cenk Ismail Kaptanoğlu, exchanged documents for the procurement of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MPMS) ship.
DESAN begins the Multi-Purpose Mission Ship production project contract process for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA). DESAN will build the 99-meter-long ship in Turkiyw within 24 months, which will be the largest Malaysian Coast Guard ship. Turk Loyd will certify the ship, and ASELSAN and HAVELSAN will integrate technology components such as weapon systems, electronic and communication systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles capable of vertical take-off and landing.
In October last year, the Malaysian Maritime Administration’s Director-General of Maritime Affairs, Rear Admiral Mohd Rosli Abdullah, said that RM350 million had been allocated to procure a multi-purpose mission ship.
Secretary of Defence Industries Haluk Görgün signed three separate agreements during the visit.
The Malaysian Ministry of Defence and the SSB exchanged documents involving defence cooperation between the two countries.
The document titled “Government-to-Government Procurement and Terms of Reference for the Joint Committee on Defence Products” was exchanged between Defence Minister Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and SSB Secretary Haluk Görgün.
Meanwhile, National Security Council (MKN) Director-General Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin also exchanged documents titled “Strategic Cooperation in the Field of Communication Systems” with Görgün.
After the signing ceremony, President Erdoğan spoke at a press conference. Erdoğan noted that the trade volume target, which was previously $5 billion, had been re-determined as $10 billion.
On the other hand, the DEİK Malaysia Türkiye Business Forum is held in Malaysia. Turkish Defence Companies ASELSAN and HAVELSAN signed three agreements. ASELSAN and Sapura signed a cooperation agreement in the communication field. ASELSAN and HAVELSAN signed a joint agreement with LUNAS Shipyard on modernising naval platforms. HAVELSAN and MIMOS-Techinsight agreed on cooperation in artificial intelligence. DEİK is the Foreign Economic Relations Board, a voluntary-based business organisation.
