Iran–Malaysia relations explained

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Iran–Malaysia relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Iran and Malaysia. Iran has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur,[1] and Malaysia has an embassy in Tehran.[2] Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and have used these forums and bilateral relations to develop political ties.

History

Relations between the two countries have existed since the independence of Malaya. While Persian influences in Malay Peninsula are much longer with the traces were discovered some centuries ago as they were once engaged in trade in Lembah Bujang and Malacca together with the traces of Persian literature in Malay language.[3]

Economic relations

Both countries have co-operated in a number of large industrial projects, many of them in the energy sector.[4] Earlier in October 2007, Iran and Malaysia are working towards an extensive multilateral oil refinery deal with Venezuela in Syria.[5] In December 2007, the two signed a US$6 billion deal to develop areas of Iran's offshore gas fields.[6]

In January 2017, the two countries are set to pursue a free trade agreement.[7] A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on gas field study was signed in February between National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and Malaysia's Bukhary International Ventures (BIV).[8] Both countries have integrated their banking transactions and also agreed to use local currencies along with Chinese yuan and Japanese yen in their bilateral trade.[9] [10] [11] As of 2015, there are around 5,000 Iranian students in Malaysia, while only 15 Malaysian students in Iran.[12]

Political relations

Despite these matters of historical traces, political relations between two countries are recently tense due to alleged Iranian interferences promoting Shi'a Islam in largely Salafi-Sunni adherence of Malaysia which in response the latter government has passed several anti-Shi'a laws to limit the activities of Shi'a followers in the country to prevent their spread.[13] [14]

See also

References

  1. Web site: Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in Kuala Lumpur. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran. 1 March 2017.
  2. Web site: Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Tehran. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. 1 March 2017.
  3. Web site: Iran-Malaysia ties: To strengthen commonalities. Marzieh Afkham. New Straits Times. 5 November 2016. 1 March 2017.
  4. Web site: Malaysia-Iran Foreign Relations. Ariel Farrar-Wellman. Critical Threats. 29 June 2010. 1 March 2017.
  5. Web site: Syria, Iran, Malaysia and Venezuela ink 2.6-billion-dollar oil deal. DPA News. Digital Journal. 30 October 2007. 1 March 2017. 5 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200605113111/http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/244089. dead.
  6. Web site: Iran-Malaysia sign 6 billion dollar gas deal. Aresu Eqbali. The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 December 2007. 1 March 2017.
  7. Web site: Malaysia set to pursue FTA with Iran by end-Jan 2017. Bernama. The Star. 23 December 2016. 1 March 2017.
  8. Web site: Iran, Malaysia Sign MoU For Gas Fields Study . Bernama . 9 February 2017 . 1 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170301105510/http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v8/wn/newsworld.php?id=1327807 . 1 March 2017 . dead .
  9. Web site: Iran, Malaysia to expand trade ties using local currencies. Mehr News Agency. 24 February 2017. 1 March 2017.
  10. Web site: Iran, Malaysia Integrating Banking Transactions. Financial Tribune. 25 February 2017. 1 March 2017.
  11. Web site: Iran, Malaysia Agree to Trade in Yen, Yuan: Official. Tasnim News Agency. 25 February 2017. 1 March 2017.
  12. Web site: Iran keen to have more Malaysian students. Bernama. The Malay Mail. 12 October 2015. 1 March 2017. 2 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170302034319/http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/iran-keen-to-have-more-malaysian-students. dead.
  13. Web site: No safe place for SEAsia's Shia Muslims. David Hutt. Asia Times. 3 February 2018. 2 April 2018.
  14. Web site: Malaysian government to Shia Muslims: Keep your beliefs to yourself. Claire McCartney. GlobalPost. PRI. 22 August 2013. 2 April 2018.

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