Experts say PM Anwar Ibrahim’s visits to Russia and Turkmenistan strengthened strategic ties and opened energy, trade and investment opportunities for Malaysia.
KUALA LUMPUR: The successes achieved from the recent official visits of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Russia and Turkmenistan are regarded as demonstrating the leader’s credibility on the global stage in strengthening the country’s strategic cooperation relations.
Professor Datuk Dr. Sivamurugan Pandian, a lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, said that the visits to the two major energy-producing countries opened up opportunities for cooperation in the energy, trade, investment and supply security sectors.
“These efforts benefit the economy and the well-being of the people. Achievements such as the guarantee of oil supply and the appointment of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) as the operator of the world’s second-largest gas field can be seen as successes in economic diplomacy.
“These are because they successfully translated the relationship between the government into strategic opportunities for the country while strengthening PETRONAS’ position as a global energy player,” he said when contacted by Bernama.
The political analyst said that the Prime Minister’s credibility, bringing benefits to the people through overseas visits, is not only measured by official visits but also by his ability to bring back results that add value to the country.
“If a visit results in investment, strategic cooperation and energy security guarantees, then it reflects diplomacy oriented towards the interests of the people and the nation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the head of the Academic Affairs, Faculty of Administrative and Financial Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Qatar in Lusail, Qatar, Prof Dr Noor Azuan Hashim, said the visits attracted the attention of many parties, especially in the context of Malaysia’s position on the international stage.
She said that as the world faces various economic, energy and geopolitical challenges, the visits are strategic steps in strengthening the country’s interests through more diverse and balanced diplomatic and economic relations, in addition to ensuring the country’s energy security.
“Russia and Turkmenistan are among the key players in the global oil and gas sector. Closer relations with both countries allow Malaysia to diversify its energy sources and partnerships, thereby reducing dependence on specific markets and enhancing the country’s long-term energy resilience,” she said.
According to her, the visits also opened new trade and investment opportunities as Central Asia is still a market that has not been fully explored by Malaysian companies.
“A stronger relationship with this region is not only focused on oil and gas but also has the potential to open up opportunities for the export of halal products, palm oil, higher education and Malaysian professional services,” she said.
She said that Malaysia’s position can be strengthened on the international stage, capable of establishing good relations with various countries and world powers, thereby reflecting Malaysia’s foreign policy that is free, pragmatic and based on national interests, and not solely tied to one power bloc.
“Overall, the Prime Minister’s official visits to Russia and Turkmenistan demonstrated Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to expand its diplomatic and economic networks beyond the country’s traditional partners.
“Although there are challenges that need to be managed wisely, the visits have the potential to bring strategic benefits to Malaysia, particularly in terms of energy security, trade, investment, and the country’s position on the international stage,” she said.
On June 16, Anwar arrived in Kazan for a two-day working visit to the capital and largest city of Tatarstan, Russia, to attend the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, which took place from June 17 to 18.
The Prime Minister then made a two-day official visit to Turkmenistan on June 18, which included the signing of the Long-Term Cooperation Framework Agreement for the Development of Turkmenistan’s Hydrocarbon Resources between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of Turkmenistan.
