KUALA LUMPUR: Several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were exchanged between Australia and Malaysia, as a testament to the strong bilateral ties between the two countries, especially in the field of education.
The exchange of the MOUs was witnessed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his Australian counterpart, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Among them are an MOU on transnational crime, one between the Tanjung Pelepas in Johor and Port of Melbourne, as well as an MOU between Export Finance Australia and Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad. A new Monash University campus at TRX Exchange in Kuala Lumpur was also unveiled at the event.
Anwar said Australia has been a destination of choice for many Malaysian students due to the country’s track record.
“I have said this earlier that Prime Minister Albanese has been a committed friend, and has been very supportive of our ventures and my meetings with him have been very fruitful, candid and very open, and both of us have freely committed to enhance better relations in terms of serious trade, investment and ventures,” he told a press conference after a bilateral meeting on Tuesday (Oct 28).
We discussed this on foreign national crimes, cybersecurity, I think we need to work on it, and various ministers present and all, we will probably alert the Cabinet on Friday,” he said while adding that other areas to work on include halal products and energy.
Anwar also expressed his appreciation for Australia’s stance on conflict resolution.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was visiting Malaysia for the first time in his capacity as premier, said the relationship between the two countries has been in good shape, with investments totalling millions.
“Beyond everything, our people-to-people links. The figure of 500,000 Malaysians receiving educational benefits in Australia over the years is a very significant figure. What that means is that they return to Malaysia, having had that skill uplift, but importantly as well, they become ambassadors for the relationship between our two nations, and that is so strong as we go forward,” said Albanese.
“So I think that the relationship is in very good shape as we go forward. It’s good that we’ve had all of those MOUs witnessed here today that will lead to further development,” he added.
Albanese added that the two nations shared a relationship of trust and engagement that has been developed over a long period of time, which has been assisted by the people-to-people relations.
