Kuala Lumpur: Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who arrived yesterday for a four-day official visit to Malaysia, was accorded an official welcoming ceremony at Perdana Putra Complex here today. Muizzu was received by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the venue at 9 am, after which the national anthems of both countries were played. Muizzu then inspected a guard of honour mounted by three officers and 102 members of the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, present at the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, and Public Service director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz. This marks Muizzu’s maiden visit to Malaysia since becoming president in November 2023, following an invitation from Anwar.
Before proceeding to a meeting with Anwar, Muizzu signed the guest book. Both leaders are expected to review Malaysia-Maldives bilateral relations and explore further collaboration in trade, investment, the halal industry, education, tourism, and youth and sports. During the visit, Muizzu and Anwar will also witness the exchange of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in tourism, sports, and health, along with two Exchanges of Notes (EoN) in diplomatic training and bilateral consultation.
Tomorrow, Muizzu will be conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Islamic Leadership and Madani Development by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The honorary degree will be conferred by Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, as the Constitutional Head of IIUM. Following the conferment, Muizzu is scheduled to deliver a public lecture entitled ‘The Intellectual Renaissance: Unveiling the Scientific and Modern Developments of Islamic Civilisation’.
In 2024, Malaysia’s total trade with Maldives increased by 4.3 percent to RM862.7 million (US$189 million) from RM827.3 million (US$180.9 million) in 2023, making the archipelagic state Malaysia’s sixth largest trading partner among South Asian countries.