The state visit by the President of Turkiye, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Malaysia cements the deep-rooted partnership of both nations pillared on historical friendship, trust and bond at the highest level right to the elevation of people-to-people relations.

The synergy and shared visions and aspirations of both countries signify the new era of strategic ties that are not only confined to official diplomatic relationship that encompasses government and economic cooperation, but transcend the conventional spectrum of Track I and II diplomacy, in a frontier where cultural, technological, human capital and systemic linkages and interdependence form the quintessence of future-driven resilience and connectedness that serve as a beacon of stability and contributor to the region and the world.

Both Turkiye and Malaysia share common aspirations of regional and global responsibilities in preserving stability and peace, and upholding the tenets of justice, equitable growth and prosperity. Both share strong diplomatic, economic and cultural ties that have evolved into a long-term resilient and strategic partnership.

Both are influential Muslim-majority nations, projecting forward-looking partnership in trade, defence, new critical technologies, and global leadership and diplomacy.

Under the great visionary leadership of President Erdogan, Turkiye has further cemented its growing status as a global power and a stabiliser in managing conflicts and upholding peace, further expanding its role and influence in both the Muslim world and the wider geopolitical arena.

Both nations are proponents for a peaceful and harmonious global society, and have been committed in championing the rights and justice for the underprivileged and the oppressed, and supporting the causes of Palestine and others.

Consistent multifaceted cooperative capacities have also been forged under the banner of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Turkiye further complemented and strengthened Malaysia’s emerging role as a middle power and a regional power balancer.

Diplomatic engagements have intensified under Erdogan and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with visits and agreements strengthening bilateral ties.

Anwar’s 2023 visit to Turkiye set the foundation for deeper synergy of partnership in economic fundamentals, defence and humanitarian and global commitment.

This set a new framework for current consolidation of ties across these areas, and Malaysia is now seen as a vital partner for Turkiye in economic, supply chain, energy and food security, and resilience.

Various future-driven strategic tenets can also be formed, in seeing through the many agreements and strategic partnerships that have been formed and sealed during Erdogan’s visit here in Malaysia, and a Strategic Dialogue Council can serve to institutionalise foreign policy coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the various projects undertaken, with supervision by the highest levels.

The personal bond and friendship between Anwar and Erdogan remain the pinnacle of the hallmark of the close ties between both nations, and this has enabled faster and more efficient ventures of closer coordination and in transcending issues or challenges that arise.

Growing Trade Relations

Turkiye and Malaysia have further boosted trade relations, both in their expanded economic friendshoring intent.

In 2023, bilateral trade exceeded US$4 billion, where Malaysia helped to support Turkiye’s new economic growth by providing palm oil, electronic products, LNG and rubber as the main sources of exports, while Turkiye provided machinery, iron, steel and defence equipment.

Both complement and support one another’s strategic needs with increasing shared interdependence in future areas of critical needs.

This includes new shared returns on the arena of the advancement of the semiconductor industry, defence, the green and digital economy, the blue economy, new energy transition, supply chain resilience, critical minerals and the joint advancement and development of human capital expertise both in mobility of knowledge and in the exchange of talents and research expertise.

Universiti Malaya, in this regard, has continued to lead in the new areas of critical importance not only to Malaysia but to the wider world, and in this new deepening of partnership between Turkiye and Malaysia, Universiti Malaya is ready to play the lead role in these new sectors of development and cooperation, in line with the new thrust areas that include the new scientific and humanity cultivation of knowledge creation and impact amplifier to humanity and civilisations.

The conferment of the Honorary Doctorate in International Relations to Erdogan by Universiti Malaya at a Special Convocation Ceremony in conjunction with his visit remains the testament and acknowledgement of the contributions and legacy of Erdogan in the field and in contributing to regional and global peace and diplomacy.

We in University Malaya remain proud on this special occasion where we cherish and celebrate the joint quest and venture for civilisational strength and the common framework for peace, where we also cultivate a new cornerstone of values, ethics, and academic and research advancement that will benefit the common aspirations of humanity and in creating a better tomorrow for humankind.

This is where the strength of Turkiye under the leadership of Erdogan remains the core facet of a new exciting prospect of civilisational and global progress, underpinned by responsible and collective far-sighted and ethics-driven orientation.

The field of talent cultivation, critical research advancement and the exchange of human capital and knowledge remain opportune for both nations in synergising a common pool of innovation, new knowledge and research areas that are in line with the economic and scientific transition of the world.

The role played by the Ministry of Higher Education led by Datuk Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir is therefore critical in ensuring the advancement of the future generations in these fields, and the close ties forged among the institutions and universities in both nations are highly supported by the foresight and visions of the Higher Education Minister in building greater rapport and education and research connectivity and exchange between both nations.

A New Era of Trust and Synergy

Malaysia plays a pertinent role for Turkiye’s new modernisation drive, serving as the next hub for the country’s development capacity in tapping into the ASEAN markets.

Kuala Lumpur stands prospective in providing the edge in renewable and green energy, the halal industry, defence cooperation and new critical technological sectors, serving as the catapult for Turkiye’s entry into the region.

Under Erdoğan, Turkiye has expanded its defence industry, and this complements Malaysia’s defence friendshoring efforts and security needs.

Technology transfer can be further expanded where collaborations in defence R&D and potentially jointly developing military technology will further strengthen Malaysia’s defence industry and enhanced it deterrent capacity in light of the increasingly volatile power game and power rivalry in the region and the world.

New defence technology hub can be developed, and an increased effort in joint exercises and defence cooperation will benefit both nations, each with different unique strength and advantage in contributing towards peace, deterrence and stability.

New areas of scientific ventures can include deeper cooperation on AI, aerospace, space science, defence, health, and innovation in tackling both traditional and non- traditional threats.

Cultural and people-to-people relations have been robust, and this opens new space for growing leadership in Islamic and civilisational thoughts, exchange and appreciation.

Talent and expertise exchange between both nations will see the growth of new joint talent cultivation in expanding the pool of high-skilled workforce, complementing the institutional structural cooperation to include the impact on the citizens of both nations and the wider world.

In fostering knowledge exchange in science, technology, religious, ethics and Islamic thoughts, universities of both nations stand at the periphery of new openings to pioneer new leadership and creation of knowledge in these fields.

Turkiye and Malaysia are both naturally great geopolitical connectors, playing an instrumental role in serving as the bridge among continents and critical gateways to markets and in connecting people and goods.

Turkiye serves as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, while Malaysia is a gateway between the Islamic world and ASEAN, connecting the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific region.

Together, both can enhance global diplomatic dialogue, fostering inter-regional stability and cementing a new wave of joint solidarity and action in solving pressing global challenges including preventing conflicts, providing humanitarian assistance, tackling health challenges and diseases and managing the impact of climate change.

As Erdoğan continues his global outreach strategy, Malaysia remains a critical partner in expanding Türkiye’s influence into Asia and ASEAN. Likewise, Malaysia benefits from Türkiye’s defence, diplomatic and economic strengths, securing a strong future for both nations.

By working together, both nations shoulder the rich history and legacy of common aspirations and intent to change the world for the better, in creating a better tomorrow for the benefit of the new generations.

The legacy that is sealed through the visit of Erdogan and the new frontier of ties that ensued provide the stepping stone towards reshaping global power dynamics that benefit both nations, ensuring stability and prosperity for their regions and the wider Muslim world.

Universiti Malaya stands tall and proud to be able to contribute towards this noble dream, and will continue to lead in harmonising and elevating our shared prosperity and deep-rooted bond and ties in the years and decades to come.

-- BERNAMA

Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman is Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya and Fellow, Academy of Sciences Malaysia.