Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

 

SOUTHEAST ASIA DIVISION

 

Southeast Asia Division of Wisma Putra administers Malaysia’s bilateral relations with its five immediate neighbours and fellow founding members of ASEAN namely, Brunei Darussalam; Republic of Indonesia; Republic of The Philippines; Singapore; and Kingdom of Thailand.  The Division also administers Malaysia’s bilateral relation with the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste.  

 

The multifaceted cooperation and partnership with these countries are of utmost importance to Malaysia given ASEAN as the cornerstone of Malaysia’s foreign policy.   

  

Malaysia has diplomatic Missions in all these countries, which also maintain their respective diplomatic Missions in Kuala Lumpur.

 

 

Malaysia - Brunei Darussalam

 

 

 

15^th Malaysia-Brunei Darussalam Annual Consultation

Bandar Seri Begawan, 12 September 2011

 

 

Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam have a special relationship, underscored by the long historical ties that bind the Malay and Brunei Royal Families, as well as the shared family, religious, cultural, ethnic and linguistic affinities.  

  

The most notable high-level annual event between the two countries is the Annual Consultation.

Bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation as well as cooperation in tourism continue to be both encouraging and promising.  In 2011, the trade was valued at RM 1.8 billion (USD 594 million).  In the same year, the people of Brunei Darussalam made 1,239,404 visits to Malaysia.  

 

 

Malaysia – Republic of Indonesia

 

 

 

8^th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation

Lombok, 20 October 2011

 

Malaysia and Republic of Indonesia enjoy active, multifaceted bilateral relationship that is strongly founded on shared cultural, religious and historical experiences.

 

The most notable high-level annual event between the two countries is the Annual Consultation.  In addition, the two countries have various other bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation Meetings (JCBC), the General Border Committee (GBC), and the Joint Trade Investment Committee (JTIC) which continue to contribute significantly to the enhancement of mutually beneficial collaboration.

 

Bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation as well as cooperation in tourism continue to record significant growth.  Indonesia is Malaysia’s third largest trading partner within ASEAN, with the 2011 bilateral trade value of RM 55.92 billion (USD 18.3 billion). In 2011, Malaysia received 2,134,381 tourists from Indonesia.

 

 

 

Malaysia – Republic of The Philippines

 

 

 

Working Visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dato’ Sri Anifah Hj. Aman

 Manila, 21 January 2012

 

 

Malaysia and Republic of The Philippines continue to enjoy warm and cordial bilateral relationship.  

 

In addition to the exchange of high-level visits, both countries have joint mechanisms such as the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) to address a wide range of collaborative efforts.  Through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP), Malaysia has received the participation of 985 Philippine officials in various short and long term courses since 1980.  

  

Malaysia has also been actively engaged in the on-going efforts to bring peace to southern Philippines. Malaysia has since 2001 played the role as the Third Party Facilitator in the Peace Process between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Malaysia has also been leading the International Monitoring Team in Mindanao since its establishment in 2004.

 

Bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation as well as cooperation in tourism continue to record significant growth. The Philippines is Malaysia’s fifth largest trading partner in ASEAN, with the 2011 trade value of RM 15.69 billion (USD 5.13 billion).  In 2011, the people of the Philippines made 362,101 visits to Malaysia.

 

 

Malaysia - Singapore

 

 

Malaysia-Singapore Leaders’ Retreat

5 January 2012, Putrajaya

 

 

Malaysia and Singapore enjoy a long-standing and multifaceted relationship, reflecting the shared historical experiences.  

  

The most notable high-level annual event between the two countries is the Leader’s Retreat.  In addition, both countries have joint mechanisms for cooperation such as the Joint Ministerial Committee for Iskandar Malaysia; Joint Working Group on Cooperation in Education; Joint Committee on the Environment; and Joint Technical Committee on the Implementation of the ICJ Judgement on Pedra Branca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge.

 

Bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation as well as cooperation in tourism continue to record significant growth.  Singapore is Malaysia’s largest trading partner in ASEAN and second largest global trading partner.  In 2011, the value of Malaysia-Singapore bilateral trade was RM 161.68 billion (USD 52.84 billion).  In the same year, Singapore was the fourth largest source of foreign investments after Japan, Republic of Korea and USA.   

 

Singapore remains the largest source of foreign tourists in Malaysia, with more than 50% of the whole market share. In 2011, Singaporeans made 13,372,647 visits to Malaysia.  

 

 

Malaysia – Kingdom of Thailand

 

 

 

 

Inaugural Official Visit of H.E. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

20 February 2012, Putrajaya

 

Malaysia and Thailand continue to have fruitful bilateral cooperation and partnership in various areas of mutual interests.  In addition to the high-level Annual Consultation, both countries have also established various other bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation; Committee for Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas; Joint Trade Committee; and the General Border Committee.

 

Apart from the “Three E”s (Education, Entrepreneurship, and Employment/Labour Cooperation) under the Joint Commission, Malaysia is also working closely with Thailand under the framework of the Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas (JDS), Lima Dasar Summit, Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), to improve the connectivity and social economics condition of the people in the border areas.  Malaysia through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) has also seen the participation of 830 Thailand officials in various short and long-term courses since 1981.

 

Bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation as well as cooperation in tourism have been on an upward trend over the last decade.  Thailand is Malaysia’s second largest trading partner in ASEAN, with the 2011 trade value of RM 70.23 billion (USD 22.95 billion). Thailand is also a major source of tourist arrivals in Malaysia with the 2011 figure of 1,442,048. 

 

 

Malaysia – Democratic Republic of Timor Leste

 

 

 

A Medal Parade Ceremony for Malaysian Contingent in UNMIT

7 April 2011, Dili

 

 

Malaysia and Timor-Leste enjoy warm and cordial bilateral relationship. Malaysia looks forward to Timor-Leste joining ASEAN in the very near future. 

  

The relationship continues to be enhanced by Malaysia’s commitment to assisting Timor-Leste in its nation building. Malaysia has provided substantial technical assistance to Timor-Leste, especially through the Malaysia Technical Cooperation Program (MTCP) and the Malaysian Defence Cooperation Program (MDCP).

 

Malaysia has been actively involved as one of the major contributors of military and police personnel in the successive United Nations peacekeeping missions in Timor-Leste since 1999.  Currently, 250 Malaysian personnel are serving in UNMIT. The Malaysian security personnel will be serving in Timor-Leste until the mandate of UNMIT expires in the end of December 2012. 

  

Bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Malaysia and Timor-Leste are set to expand further.  In 2011, bilateral trade value between the two countries was registered at RM 13.41 million (USD 4.38 million).