Malaysia–Turkey relations explained

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Mission1:Embassy of Turkey, Kuala Lampur
Mission2:Embassy of Malaysia, Ankara

Malaysia–Turkey relations are the foreign relations between Malaysia and Turkey. Turkey has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Ankara and consulate-general in Istanbul.[1] Both countries are full members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Both countries are also classed as regional powers and middle powers in their respective regions.

History

The relations between the two countries can be traced back during the Malay sultanate era and the Ottoman Empire.[2] In the 16th century, the Ottoman Empire supported Aceh against Johor.[3] From the 19th century, relations between the Malay Sultanates and the Ottomans remained intact, bolstered by close personal ties between Sultan Abu Bakar of Johor, who made several visits to Istanbul.[2] On the occasion of Sultan Abu Bakar's visit in 1890, he and his brother, Engku Abdul Majid, married Turkish women.[2] These marriages has further strengthened the bilateral relationship and produced a mixed Malay-Turkish descendants such as Syed Muhammad Naquib al-Attas and Ungku Aziz.[4] Today, the modern relations of both countries has started since 1964.[5] Prime Minister Najib Razak visited Turkey on 17 April 2014 to extend bilateral trades between the two countries and signed FTA.[6] Some economic agreements has been established between the two countries such as Strategic Framework Agreement and Free Trade Agreement.[7] [8] Besides that, the visa requirements for both countries visits also has been abolished.[7] [9] [10]

Economic relations

Both countries are also currently forging greater co-operation in trade and investment especially linkages in the Islamic financial industry between the two markets.[11] Turkey also currently looking on Malaysia to become one of its trading partner in the ASEAN region.[12] In 2019, as part of the plan to improve ties with Asian nations, Turkey plans to boost its investment in Malaysia where the latter also have been considered as among 17 countries under focus for exports as had been expressed by Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan in August.[13] [14] [15]

Security relations

The Turkish defence industry company has signed several accords with Malaysian partner which worth around $600 million deal for armoured vehicles production.[10] The other Turkish firms also has signed deals with Malaysian partners to modernise the Malaysian military systems.[10]

On 12 May 2017, Malaysia deported three Turkish suspects over their alleged involvement with the Gülen movement, an organisation which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the Turkish government.[16] Following this, the Malaysian government was accused by the anti-Erdogan Stockholm Center for Freedom (SCF) for enabling the persecution of government critics of the administration under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by unlawfully turning over Turkish nationals who fled from the crackdown launched by their President under the request of their government.[17] Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Ahmad Zahid Hamidi denied the detention was based on order from the Turkish government, while explaining that the arrests were made after receiving information from the Counter-Messaging Centre (CMC) in relation to their involvement in an organisation that deemed illegal in their country.[18]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Relations between Turkey and Malaysia . Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs . 28 December 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150630225011/http://www.mfa.gov.tr/relations-between-turkey-and-malaysia.en.mfa . 30 June 2015 .
  2. Web site: Malaysia-Turkey Relations in History and Today. Asmady Idris and Ömer Kurtbağ. Middle East Institute. 19 November 2013. 28 December 2013.
  3. Book: Casale, Giancarlo . The Ottoman Age of Exploration . 2010-01-28 . Oxford University Press . 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195377828.001.0001 . 978-0-19-537782-8.
  4. Web site: Pengaruh Khilafah Othmaniyyah Turki dalam pentadbiran Kerajaan Johor bagi memartabatkan sebuah negara Islam merdeka di Asia Tenggara. Abd Jalil Borham. UMP.edu.my. ms. 28 December 2013.
  5. Web site: A new page in Turkey-Malaysia relations. https://web.archive.org/web/20140121082716/http://www.turkishweekly.net/columnist/3839/-a-new-page-in-turkey-malaysia-relations.html. dead. 21 January 2014. Turkish Weekly. 20 January 2014. 22 January 2014. Selcuk Colakoglu.
  6. Web site: Najib in Turkey to boost trade ties. Wani Muthiah. The Star. 17 April 2014. 23 April 2014.
  7. Web site: Malaysia-Turkey ties set to grow stronger, says Najib. The Borneo Post. 25 February 2011. 28 December 2013.
  8. Web site: Malaysia-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (MTFTA). Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Malaysia. 27 November 2012. 28 December 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131228111448/http://www.miti.gov.my/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.section.Section_1a589d8a-c0a81573-430a430a-d98b0768. 28 December 2013.
  9. Web site: No visa necessary for Turkey travel. The Malaysian Insider. 23 February 2011. 28 December 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131228092755/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/no-visa-necessary-for-turkey-travel/. 28 December 2013.
  10. Web site: Turkey, Malaysia seek 'strategic' ties, sign deals. Hurriyet Daily News. 23 February 2011. 28 December 2013.
  11. Web site: Malaysia and Turkey exploring opportunities in 'New Silk Route'. Mushtak Parker. Arab News. 7 November 2011. 28 December 2013.
  12. Web site: Turkey wants Malaysia to be main Asean trade partner. Omar Mirzan. The Edge Financial Day, The Edge Malaysia. 15 February 2012. 28 December 2013. dead. https://archive.today/20131228073037/http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/200933-turkey-wants-malaysia-to-be-main-asean-trade-partner.html. 28 December 2013.
  13. Web site: Turkey wants to increase investments in Malaysia: envoy. Tugcenur Yilmaz. Zuhal Demirci. Anadolu Agency. 7 August 2018. 30 August 2019.
  14. Web site: Turkey plans to boost investments in Malaysia, envoy says. Anadolu Agency. Daily Sabah. 7 August 2018. 30 August 2019.
  15. Web site: 17 countries under focus for exports. Hürriyet Daily News. 29 August 2018. 30 August 2019.
  16. Web site: Malaysia hands over 3 FETO suspects to Turkey. Mehmet Ozay. Sertac Bulur. Meryem Goktas. Anadolu Agency. 12 May 2017. 14 May 2017.
  17. Web site: SCF Report on Malaysia Exposes Abductions By Erdoğan's Long Arm in Asia. Stockholm Center for Freedom. 13 May 2017. 14 May 2017.
  18. Web site: Zahid denies trio arrested on orders from Turkish govt. The Borneo Post. 18 May 2017. 18 May 2017.