Anwar-Putin closeness is a strategic move to overcome the world's polarized geopolitical landscape
17/05/2025
Putin and Anwar shake hands during their meeting at the Kremlin, Moscow. - AP Photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The warm welcome received by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from President Vladimir Putin during the Prime Minister's official visit to Russia clearly shows the high commitment between the two leaders to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
The camaraderie between Anwar and Putin, who are among the most powerful leaders in the world, was evident from the very beginning of the visit when both leaders sought to foster a meaningful partnership for both countries.
The closeness between the two leaders is important, especially in an increasingly fragmented world landscape due to the actions of several major powers taking unilateral actions and protectionist policies that require strengthened diplomatic relations and cooperation to further deepen Malaysia-Russia relations.
While in the Kremlin, Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, was given a special official welcome with the event receiving extensive coverage in Russia by more than 80 media representatives from various agencies.
Despite coming from a relatively small country, the Malaysian delegation was treated with great warmth and respect by Putin, as Anwar expressed during a lecture at the leading university, Moscow State Institute of International Relations University (MGIMO).
Anwar was also awarded an honorary doctorate from MGIMO in recognition of his contributions to global peace and international cooperation.
"Mutual respect between countries 'is what is needed to stand out in the eyes of the world'.
"We need to show that every community, every country, whether small, rich or poor, needs to be respected and recognized," he said.
As ASEAN Chairman, Anwar officially invited Putin to attend the regional grouping's summit with dialogue partners in October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, when meeting Anwar in person, President Putin also took the opportunity to extend an invitation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim to visit Russia.
"I have a request to convey. Please convey my congratulations to the head of state (Agong) Sultan Ibrahim," Putin told the Prime Minister, as reported by the Russian News Agency (TASS) .
Both leaders are committed to increasing cooperation not only in trade and investment but also in culture, language and people-to-people connectivity.
Currently, there are approximately 400 Russian students pursuing their studies in Malaysia and 700 Malaysian students in Russia.
What is more interesting and is an honor to Malaysia is that MGIMO offers Bahasa Malaysia as a subject at the university while Russian is also offered at the University of Malaya.
During his visit to Moscow and Kazan, Anwar also took the opportunity to attend roundtable discussions with 24 major companies in Russia and two business councils represented by industry leaders to discuss strategic cooperation in increasing bilateral trade between Malaysia and Russia.
In Moscow, Russian industry leaders expressed their desire to explore new collaborations in various fields including food manufacturing, agriculture and technology. Among the companies involved were Oil Partners, Sportmaster and the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
During one of their engagements, Putin said he saw prospects for cooperation between Russia and Malaysia in the natural gas and nuclear energy sectors.
Malaysian oil and gas company PETRONAS already has a presence in Russia with equity capital in Rosneft and is developing a relationship with Gazprom, he said.
Rosneft is a Russian integrated energy company headquartered in Moscow, while Gazprom is a multinational energy company majority owned by the Russian government headquartered at the Lakhta Center in Saint Petersburg.
Meanwhile, Anwar also met with his Russian counterpart, Mikhail Mishustin, to discuss another bilateral meeting. He also received a courtesy call from the Grand Mufti of the Russian Federation, Sheikh Ravil Gaynutdin, who is also the chairman of the Russian Islamic Religious Board.
In Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan, one of the richest federal entities in Russia, Anwar and the Malaysian delegation visited the Kazan Expo, which focuses on technology, as well as the Russian Halal Expo and attended the Gala Reception in conjunction with the 16th International Economic Forum "Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum 2025".
Anwar said Tatarstan had enormous potential and Malaysia was ready to discuss trade and economic issues with the republic, such as Islamic banking and the halal industry in Kazan.
As of 2022, Tatarstan's population is 3.9 million people, made up of over 70 ethnic groups, with more than 50 percent of the population being Muslim. There are over 150 manufacturers of halal products with about 20 companies focused on export in the republic.
Its main exports are refined petroleum (US$4.28 billion) (US$1=RM4.28), crude petroleum (US$3.84 billion), synthetic rubber (US$1.06 billion) and nitrogen fertilizers (US$202 million).
Through his speech at the Strategic Vision Group Meeting: Russia-Islamic World (KazanForum 2025), themed Experience of Russia and the Islamic World in Youth Policy: Common Challenges and Joint Actions, Anwar stressed the importance and crucial role of multilateral cooperation in addressing the growing challenges faced by youth, especially in the Islamic world.
Meanwhile, in his keynote speech at the International Economic Forum "Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2025", Anwar called on the Islamic world to work together and strengthen the foundations, starting with the economy, especially in the Halal Industry which is estimated to be worth US$3 trillion.
"From the Gulf states, to West Asia, to Africa, to Asia, we must formalize and solidify this integration.
"Then Islamic finance, not just adopting what you call usury-free, but exploring new innovations so that it can offer an alternative and viable economy for the Muslim world and also the participation of non-Muslims in our society and in non-Muslim countries," he said.
The Malaysian delegation was joined by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Minister of Plantations and Commodities Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
As of 2024, Russia is Malaysia's ninth largest trading partner among European countries, with total trade worth RM11.46 billion (US$2.48 billion).
Anwar's four-day visit to Russia ended on Friday.
