Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has concluded his official visit to Türkiye, returning home to Malaysia, where he immediately chaired a Cabinet meeting.
His three-day trip, undertaken at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, marked a significant step in strengthening ties between the two nations.
During the visit, both leaders jointly launched the Malaysia–Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), a new framework designed to elevate bilateral relations to the highest level.
The council will serve as a platform for collaboration in areas including investment, trade, defence, and education, reflecting the shared ambition to deepen strategic cooperation.
At a press conference in Ankara, Anwar emphasised that the establishment of the HLSCC places Malaysia among a select group of countries with elevated diplomatic status in Türkiye’s foreign policy.
“This visit has strengthened and further enhanced bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the two countries,” he said.
The Prime Minister was accorded a red-carpet welcome at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, complete with a guard-of-honour mounted by the Turkish Presidential Guard.
Both national anthems, Negaraku and İstiklâl Marşı, were played during the ceremony, underscoring the symbolic importance of the occasion.
Beyond diplomacy, the visit also carried personal recognition for Anwar. He was conferred the Order of the Republic, Türkiye’s highest state honour, in acknowledgement of his role in fostering closer ties between the two nations.
The trip included roundtable discussions with industry leaders, where opportunities for expanding economic cooperation were explored.
Malaysia and Türkiye signed several agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment, with both governments highlighting the potential for collaboration in technology, defence industries, and higher education.
Anwar was accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, as well as senior ministers including the Higher Education Minister and the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister.
The delegation’s presence underscored Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring that the visit translated into tangible outcomes across multiple sectors.
Upon returning to Malaysia, Anwar expressed gratitude for the safe journey home, posting on social media: “Alhamdulillah, safely arrived home after an official visit to the Republic of Turkey. I then went to the office to chair the Cabinet meeting. For Malaysia!”
The visit is widely seen as a milestone in Malaysia-Türkiye relations, opening a new chapter of cooperation that could yield long-term benefits for both nations.
