Malaysia–Sweden relations explained

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Malaysia–Sweden relations refers to foreign relations between Malaysia and Sweden. Sweden has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur,[1] and Malaysia has an embassy in Stockholm.[2] As of 2009, 90 Swedish companies are present in Malaysia and about 450 Swedish citizens live in Malaysia.[3] The number of Swedish citizens visiting Malaysia in 2011 was 44,138.[4]

History

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1958.[5]

Bilateral agreements

Malaysia and Sweden have in place a bilateral agreement concerning the mutual protection of investments signed at Kuala Lumpur on 3 March 1979.[6] [7] There is an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Government of Malaysia for Air Services between and beyond their respective territories, signed at Kuala Lumpur on 19 October 1967.[8] The countries also have in place a bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.[9]

Economic relations

Between January and July 2012, bilateral trade stood at RM2 billion, increased from the trade at RM1.9 billion between January and June 2011.[4] In September 2012, Malaysian Ambassador to Sweden, Datuk Badruddin Ab Rahman, said about 120 Swedish companies operate in Malaysia, with an investment of more than RM10 million, however there are no Malaysian companies operating in Sweden.[4] The Malaysian embassy in Sweden makes programmes to attract Swedish businesses to Malaysia such as a briefing on investment opportunities in Malaysia.[4]

In 2006, Swedish exports to Malaysia totalled approximately RM1.6 billion and the imports from Malaysia approximately RM0.7 billion. Swedish exports to Malaysia consist of telecommunication equipment, motor vehicles, chemical products, power generating machinery and equipment, machines, paper, as well as iron ore and steel. Swedish imports from Malaysia electronics and electrical components, machinery and apparatus, textiles, palm oil and raw rubber.[10] [11]

Volvo operates a wholly owned subsidiary in Malaysia that manufactures trucks.[12] Until 2016, Swedish investors have recorded 90 manufacturing projects worth US$729.19 million in Malaysia and generated 5,800 jobs at various levels.[13] The overall investments from 1980 until June 2017 are amounted to RM2.6 billion with Swedish investment in Malaysia is expected to hit RM200 million.[14] The nature attractions in Sabah have become the main destinations among Swedish tourists with many islands in the state are frequently visited by visitors from Sweden.[15] [16]

State visits

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad made official visits to Sweden in both 1985[17] and 2003.[18]

In 2005, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) Sirajuddin of Perlis of Malaysia and Raja Permaisuri Agong (Queen) Tengku Fauziah of Perlis visited Sweden.[3] [19]

Security relations

In 2000, the Swedish Navy agreed to loan four assault boats to Malaysia Government to "beef up security" in waters off Malaysia's state of Sabah.[20]

Issues

Kidnapping of Swedish diplomat by Japanese Red Army in Malaysia

See also: 1975 AIA building hostage crisis. In 1975, members of the Japanese Red Army kidnapped Swedish Chargé d'Affaires Fredrik Bergenstråhle and his secretary Ulla Ödqvist in Kuala Lumpur.[21] One of the Malaysian officials, Tan Sri Osman S. Cassim, was later awarded the insignia of Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by Sweden for his actions during the rescue.[22] [23]

Malaysian Stockholm director child custody issue

In 2014, the Stockholm director of the Malaysian tourist board and his wife were held in custody for over a month while their four children allocated to non-Muslim foster parents after the couple were accused of using corporal punishment on their 12-year-old son for refusing to perform his prayers, a practice which is outlawed in Sweden.[24] [25] The child was finally returned by Swedish authorities to Malaysia on 31 January 2014.[26]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Home. Embassy of Sweden Kuala Lumpur. 12 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170614100613/http://www.swedenabroad.com/en-GB/Embassies/Kuala-Lumpur/. 14 June 2017. dead.
  2. Web site: Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Stockholm. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. 12 December 2017.
  3. Web site: H.E. Helena Sångeland: Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia. Gerd Roysland. Scandasia.com. 17 November 2005. 6 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20080808213646/http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?coun_code=my&news_id=1951. 8 August 2008. dead.
  4. Web site: Envoy: Direct flights can boost Malaysia-Sweden trade relations. Bernama. The Borneo Post. 17 September 2012. 17 September 2012.
  5. Web site: National Day Of Sweden Celebrations In Malaysia. 5 June 2009. Scandasia.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20090926154351/http://www.scandasia.com/viewNews.php?coun_code=se&news_id=4370. 26 September 2009. dead.
  6. Book: Rudolf Dolzer. Margrete Stevens. Bilateral Investment Treaties. 15 June 1995. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. 90-411-0065-2. 55–.
  7. Book: Loretta Malintoppi. Charis Tan. Investment Protection in Southeast Asia: A Country-by-Country Guide on Arbitration Laws and Bilateral Investment Treaties. 27 October 2016. BRILL. 978-90-04-33525-7. 209–.
  8. Web site: Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Malaysia on certain aspects of air services. European Union Law. 13 December 2017.
  9. Book: Michael Lang. Tax Treaty Interpretation. 19 December 2001. Kluwer Law International. 978-90-411-9857-0. 325–.
  10. Web site: Trade with Malaysia. Embassy of Sweden Kuala Lumpur. 11 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090420124842/http://www.swedenabroad.com/Page____39260.aspx. 20 April 2009. dead. dmy-all.
  11. Web site: Malaysia, Sweden trade on the rise. New Straits Times. 7 September 1995. 5 June 2009.
  12. Web site: Inclusion of Renault Trucks lifts Volvo Malaysia's prospects. Zuraimi Abdullah. Business Times (Malaysia). 28 August 2009. 8 September 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090831080733/http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20090828000416/Article/index_html. 31 August 2009. dead.
  13. Web site: Swedish firms invest RM2.43 billion in Malaysia so far. Bernama. The Borneo Post. 21 April 2017. 23 April 2017.
  14. Web site: Sweden's investment in Malaysia to hit RM200m. Ayisy Yusof. New Straits Times. 6 November 2017. 12 December 2017.
  15. Web site: M'sia's vibrant nature main attraction for Swedish tourists. Daily Express. 18 August 2019. 23 August 2019.
  16. Web site: Nature attracts Swedish tourists to Sabah. Gregers Møller. ScandAsia. 21 August 2019. 23 August 2019.
  17. Web site: DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD. 1985-04-09. THE DINNER GIVEN BY HIS EXCELLENCY (HE) OLOF PALME, PRIME MINISTER (PM) OF SWEDEN. en.
  18. Web site: 2003-09-21. Mahathir leaves for Sweden on three-day working visit. Malaysiakini. en.
  19. Web site: Malaysian Royal Visit. Sveriges Radio. 14 September 2005. 6 June 2009.
  20. Web site: Cabinet okays loan of Swedish assault boats in Sabah, says Najib. Bernama. e-borneo.com. 23 October 2000. 6 June 2009.
  21. Web site: Terrorists' Jet Lands in Libya. St. Petersburg Times. 8 August 1975. 6 June 2009.
  22. Web site: His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden awards Malaysian citizen Tan Sri Osman S. Cassim the Royal Order of the Polar Star. Embassy of Sweden Kuala Lumpur. https://web.archive.org/web/20110728032545/http://www.swedenabroad.com/Page____83697.aspx. 28 July 2011. dead.
  23. Web site: Former sec-gen receives Swedish royal order for his brave feat in 1975. Beh Yuen Hui. The Star. 7 May 2009. 6 June 2009.
  24. Web site: Malaysians arrested for hitting kids in Sweden. David Landes. The Local. 23 January 2014. 23 January 2014.
  25. Web site: Sweden still has custody over children of Malaysian couple jailed for child abuse. https://web.archive.org/web/20171213010637/http://www.asiaone.com/malaysia/sweden-still-has-custody-over-children-malaysian-couple-jailed-child-abuse. dead. 13 December 2017. The Star/Asia News Network. AsiaOne. 3 October 2014. 3 October 2014.
  26. Web site: Children of Malaysian couple return from Sweden. Mohd Faizal Hassan. Bernama. The Borneo Post. 1 February 2014. 2 February 2014.

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