In his first-ever official overseas visit as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, he met with PresidentJoko Widodo in Bogor Palace, Jakarta to discuss issues relating to border demarcation, trade, manpower, palm oil, and the situation in Myanmar.[2][3] Extensive meetings were also organized to discuss further bilateral issues that will alleviate the relationship between the two countries.
He had an audience with the SultanHassanal Bolkiah for a four-eyed meeting to assess the progress of ongoing cooperation. He also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA). The Sultan of Brunie also hosted a royal banquet for Prime Minister Anwar.[4]
In his first-ever official visit to Singapore, he met with PresidentHalimah Yacob and Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong. He witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding to promote cooperation in data, cybersecurity, and the digital economy as well as the two Frameworks for Cooperation in Digital and Green Economy.[5]
He met with Prime MinisterPrayut Chan-o-cha in Bangkok. They discussed about the Muslim separatist insurgency in Thailand’s southernmost provinces, which abut Malaysia. They also discussed bilateral issues with the intention of alleviating the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
At the invitation of PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdoğan, he visited Gaziantep, which was affected by a strong earthquake disaster, including visiting the Malaysian rescue team sent there. However, this visit is deemed more of a friendship visit between the two leaders as compared to an official working visit. He then quickly went to Ankara to visit President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Republic of Türkiye on his invitation. Prime Minister Anwar reiterated his commitment to the President to allow the rescue team to continue to aid the Turkish counterpart in the search and rescue efforts.
This is Prime Minister Anwar's first official visit to the Republic of the Philippines.[6] As soon as he arrived in Manila, he visited President Bongbong Marcos and agreed to intensify the investment exchange between the two countries with the focus on halal industries, food security, agriculture and digital economy. The issue of Myanmar was also discussed at length. He went to the Rizal Park to lay a wreath in honour of José Rizal. He then went to the University of the Philippines to give a lecture on the '30 Years After The Asian Renaissance: Strategic Takeaways for ASEAN'.
As soon as he touched down in Saudi Arabia, he performed umrah, and received a courtesy call from both the Secretaries-General of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hissein Brahim Taha and of Muslim World League (MWL) Muhammad bin Abdul Karim Issa, broke fast with Malaysians residing in Saudi Arabia, held engagement sessions with the Chairmen of both the National Chamber of Commerce and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce as well as business communities to invite them to invest more in Malaysia, met with the Malaysian diaspora, held a press conference to state his openness on restarting talks on building the King Salman Centre for International Peace.[7]
During the visit, he held a bilateral meeting with Prime MinisterHun Sen to discuss various regional and international issues and a joint press conference to announce the results of the discussion before witnessing the signing of two memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian and Cambodian governments. He also thanked Hun Sen for help in bringing back Malaysian job scam victims. In addition, he had an audience with KingNorodom Sihamoni and meeting with President of the SenateSay Chhum, attended a Ramadan Iftar (breaking-of-the-fast) dinner with academicians and the Muslim community in Cambodia and witnessed the symbolic handing over of 1,500 copies of the Quran translation in Khmer and English from Malaysia to Cambodia as well as performing the Tarawih prayers.[8][9]
He delivered a speech at Boao Forum for Asia (BFA). He also shared his thoughts at the conference themed "An Uncertain World: Solidarity and Cooperation for Development and Challenges", and held a meeting with the top leadership of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) in Hainan. He met with Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong. He attended a public lecture at the Tsinghua University. He paid courtesy call on and held bilateral meetings with General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and PresidentXi Jinping, PremierLi Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's CongressZhao Leji in Beijing. He delivered a speech at an iftar event attended by Chinese businesspeople and Muslim community in China. He attended a roundtable meeting with the captains of the industry. He witnessed the signing of 21 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between Malaysian and Chinese businesses. He attended a welcome banquet hosted by Li Qiang.[10]
He began his visit by meeting with the Islamic leaders of Laos. Afterward, he met with the Prime Minister of Laos, Sonexay Siphandone, attending a bilateral summit while also witnessing the signing of several MoUs related to transportation, energy, and port-related agreements. He met with the Malaysian diaspora during an event inaugurating the new Malaysian embassy in Vientiane. Before leaving for Kuala Lumpur, the Prime Minister had the opportunity to meet with the President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith and the President of the National Assembly of Laos Saysomphone Phomvihane, and had the opportunity to discuss issues related to regional and international importance.
He met with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Phạm Minh Chính at the outset to discuss issues related to cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of investment and trade, agriculture, defense, and security as well as the halal industry. The Prime Minister also witnessed the signing of several MoUs related to the economic, scientific, and technical agreement between both countries as well as between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industries (VCCI). He also met with the Malaysian diaspora and the business leaders in Vietnam.
In between the summit, Prime Minister Anwar also had bilateral summits with the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyễn Phú Trọng, the Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Vương Đình Huệ and the President of Vietnam, Võ Văn Thưởng. On the side of the official visit, he was treated by the Prime Minister of Vietnam to visit the Book Street as well as performing Friday prayer at Al Noor mosque in Hanoi.
He visited Singapore to speak at the 10th Milken Institute Asia Summit 2023. On his second working visit this time, he met with the Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong for an afternoon tea to discuss the latest developments regarding both countries' bilateral issues. He also met with the Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan during the high tea session.
He attended and spoke at the 20th China–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Expo (CAExpo) 2023 and the China–ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS), officiated the Malaysian Pavilion at CAExpo, had a bilateral meeting and luncheon with the Premier of ChinaLi Qiang to discuss the China–Malaysia relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern as well as holding an engagement session with the corporate giants of China.[11]
In his general debate address, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reiterated the firmness of the country and the people of Malaysia regarding the challenges of the modern world. The Prime Minister also addressed issues regarding the spirit of alliance and multilateral cooperation, the emergence of a new form of racism characterized by xenophobia, negative profiling and stereotyping of Muslims, Quran desecration, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Myanmar and Afghanistan. He ended his visit by delivering a Friday sermon at the Islamic Cultural Center of New York.
The Prime Minister had a short working visit to the Emirates. However, the Prime Minister was able to make huge steps in investment from the Gulf country amounting to RM40.6 billion (US$8.6 billion). He held several meetings with the likes of President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, senior ministers of the Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates as well as Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. He began his visit by meeting with President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Qasr Al Watan palace. An investment understanding agreement between Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the UAE International Investment Council was also established. Various MoUs were also signed related to the scope of renewable energy and trade and investment. He then continued the visit by meeting with the captains of industry of the country including Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Before ending his trip by meeting with the Malaysian diaspora, he performed Friday prayer at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
The Prime Minister attended the 1st ASEAN-GCC Summit in Riyadh as the first event of his official visit to Saudi Arabia. There, he reiterated the Israeli–Palestinian conflict is more than vital to be discussed in upholding the international principles and laws towards the human rights violations and genocidal intentions of the Palestinians. The Prime Minister commended the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's initiative regarding Palestine at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation level a few days before. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim proposes the ASEAN-GCC Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a step forward which also serves as the first-ever free trade relationship agreement (FTA) between both organizations. As per other official visits, he also met with the Malaysian diaspora in Riyadh. Afterward, he also spent some time with the late Abdul Hamid AbuSulayman's family, who is also a renowned Islamic thinker who was also the former Rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia from 1989 to 1999. He also had the opportunity to visit the office of the Muslim World League.
On his second day, the Prime Minister began the day by meeting with Saudi Aramco. He met with Aramco's President, Amin H. Nasser, accompanied by the Trade Minister, Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi. The discussion focused on the investment and trade relationship between the two countries, and the relationship is expected to improve through the establishment of a Joint Committee monitoring it. He also received a visit from the Governor of the Public Investment Fund, Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Issues discussed are related to the cooperation between the PIF and Petronas, Khazanah Nasional, Permodalan Nasional Berhad and Employees Provident Fund. He also witnessed various MoU signings between relevant companies regarding Hajj and Umrah as well as in the technology and aviation sectors. He ended his first official visit to the country by meeting the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman. Issues dominating the meeting were such as bilateral issues, the Malaysia-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership, the Malaysia-Saudi Arabia Coordination Council (SMCC), and the Saudi Arabia Green Initiative (SGI). Again, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict also covered intensively during the meeting while also inviting the Crown Prince to make an official visit to Malaysia which will be held around January 2024.
The Prime Minister began his visit by meeting with the Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister, Mehmet Şimşek, to discuss issues related to the global economy. Defense and security aspects were at the forefront of the meeting as well as exploring potential investments in the realm of technology and tourism. The Prime Minister continued the visit by meeting with the Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, and İbrahim Kalın of the National Intelligence Organization. The meeting focuses on exploring various spaces to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, especially in geopolitical, defense, and security fields.
Ending his visit, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met with his close friend, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Republic of Türkiye for nearly two hours. The meeting focuses on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict with reference made to the rights of Gaza citizens that Israel continues to deny. Both leaders agreed to work together to find the best solutions to the never-ending oppression of the Palestinians. They also opined in efforts to strengthen their bilateral relationship in various aspects, mainly the defense ecosystem.
The Prime Minister began his one-day trip in Cairo by paying a courtesy visit to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi at the Heliopolis Palace. The meeting was intended to touch on bilateral issues including the major focus on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The Prime Minister applauded Egypt's efforts to facilitate the entry of humanitarian and medical aid through the Rafah Border Crossing while also agreeing that both nations should play an extra and decisive role in ensuring justice prevails. The Prime Minister informed that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will soon pay an official visit Malaysia early next year.
He then continued his visit by meeting with the Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb to discuss mainly education-related issues as well as the welfare of 6300 Malaysians in Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. The Prime Minister invited the Grand Imam to Malaysia in hopes of strengthening the flow of wasatiyyah in the curriculum of knowledge and preaching at the regional level. He finished the visit by meeting with the CEO of Red Crescent, Dr Rami Al Nazer to listen to the current briefing on the humanitarian aid planned.
Visited Singapore to attend the 10th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat. He met with PresidentTharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong. He reaffirmed their strong commitment to this annual engagement platform to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and issues of mutual concern. He welcomed the good progress made in the ongoing construction of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link. He agreed to hold the 11th Retreat in 2024 in Malaysia.
Anwar attended the 30th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM). He then took part in the APEC Economic Leaders' Informal Dialogue with distinguished guests from Colombia, Fiji and India. Following this, Anwar engaged in discussions at the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders and the 2023 APEC CEO Summit. He also participated in the Second Leaders' Meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). He then shared insights with students and scholars at the University of California, Berkeley, through a public lecture. Anwar also held a crucial one-on-one meeting with top American business leaders to explore opportunities for investment and collaboration. He then held discussions with Vietnamese PresidentVõ Văn Thưởng, Peruvian PresidentDina Boluarte, and Canadian Prime MinisterJustin Trudeau. Anwar also hosted a dinner for the Malaysian diaspora and students in San Francisco.
Anwar conducted a working visit to Sadao in Songkhla province with the purpose of monitoring the progress of the Road Alignment Project that aims to connect Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine, and Security (ICQS) in Malaysia with Sadao Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine (CIQ) in Thailand. During his visit, he also convened a meeting with his counterpart, Srettha Thavisin, to discuss pertinent matters related to the project.
Anwar engaged in the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit and later engaged in a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Fumio Kishida. Both leaders then oversaw the Exchange of Notes regarding the Implementation of the Security Capacity Enhancement Program under Official Security Assistance between the Government of Malaysia and the Government of Japan. Additionally, they endorsed the Memorandum of Cooperation for the Development and Application of Space between the Malaysian Space Agency and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. Anwar then participated in the Asian Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting during his visit. He then convened with various industry leaders and members of the Malaysian diaspora residing in Tokyo.
Anwar engaged in discussions with his counterpart, Srettha Thavisin, regarding the promotion of tourism in Phuket, Langkawi, and other areas in the north of Peninsular Malaysia.
Anwar led the Malaysian delegation at the second Australia-Malaysia Annual Leaders' Meeting (ALM), hosted by Australia on 4 March in Melbourne. He then participated in the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit from 5 to 6 March. During the meeting, Anwar and his counterpart, Anthony Albanese, discussed steps to advance the broad spectrum of cooperation supported by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of several memorandums of understanding.[14] While in Melbourne, Anwar inaugurated the Al-Taqwa Sports Complex, held a round table meeting with industry leaders, conducted one-on-one business meetings with potential investors, gave interviews with international media organisations, and delivered a keynote address at Invest ASEAN Melbourne 2024. Anwar also hosted a dinner for the Malaysian diaspora in Melbourne. He also paid a courtesy call on Australia's governor-general, David Hurley, and delivered a public lecture at the Australian National University in Canberra.
During his visit to Berlin, Anwar met with ChancellorOlaf Scholz and PresidentFrank-Walter Steinmeier. He addressed the Körber Foundation, a renowned non-profit focusing on social and political matters. Anwar also delivered a keynote speech at the SME Future Day 2024, hosted by the German Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (BVMW). He then convened with industry leaders and potential European investors, conducted interviews with local media outlets, and participated in an iftar ceremony with the Malaysian diaspora in Germany. Anwar then traveled to Hamburg to attend the 101st East Asian Friendship Dinner organised by the German Asia Pacific Business Association. There, he delivered a keynote speech and granted an exclusive interview to the German Press Agency.[15]
Visited the Astana Grand Mosque, accorded an official welcome by PresidentKassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace before proceeding to participate in a four-eyed meeting and another subsequent meeting involving both sides. Feted to a dinner banquet hosted by Tokayev. Attended a Roundtable Session on the bilateral cooperation in economy, trade and investment. Witnessed the exchanges of MoUs of relevant government agencies and businesses. Extended birthday greetings to Tokayev by presenting him a cake on his 70th birthday.
In Tashkent, paid a courtesy call and held a meeting with PresidentShavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss Malaysia–Uzbekistan relations as well as exploring areas of cooperation in the Kuksaroy Presidential Residence. Visited the Independence Monument in Yangi Uzbekistan Park for a wreath-laying ceremony and Imam Hazrati Complex, where the original manuscript of the Caliph Usman Quran (Mashaf Uthmani), the oldest in the world, is kept and displayed. Witnessed the exchanges of six MoUs on bilateral cooperation of various fields. In Samarkand, addressed the High-Level Uzbekistan-Malaysian Business Forum held at the Silk Road Samarkand Tourism Complex.
Participated and delivered a keynote address on the theme of "Asian Leadership in an Uncertain World" in the 29th International Conference on the Future of Asia, commonly known as the Nikkei Conference. Held a bilateral meeting with Prime MinisterFumio Kishida to take stock and discuss ways to strengthen the Japan–Malaysia relations as well as exchanging views on the regional and international issues of mutual interest. Held an interactive session with captains of various industries.
Anwar visited the customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Golok River. He was welcomed by his counterpart Srettha Thavisin. The primary purpose of the visit was to assess the progress of the bridge upgrade connecting Rantau Panjang and Golok River. Both leaders discussed bilateral issues, including Malaysia-Thailand border matters, connectivity initiatives, and the peace dialogue process in Southern Thailand.[16]
Anwar met with his counterpart Narendra Modi. Anwar connected with local industry leaders, students, and academics, and delivered a lecture titled "Towards a Rising Global South - Leveraging on Malaysia-India Ties" organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).
Anwar's visit was in conjunction with the 25th Annual Malaysia and Brunei Leaders Talks. Anwar met Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at Istana Nurul Iman. The two also witnessed the signing of several bilateral instruments.
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