Modern relations between Malaysia and Turkey began in 1964 when the two countries established diplomatic ties. However, the relationship between Malaysia and Turkey can be traced back to about 600 years ago when the Ottoman Turkish Empire was with the Sultanate of Malacca and then with the Sultanate of Johor.
The Johor government, during the reign of Sultan Sir Abu Bakar ibni Late Raja Temenggung Tun Daeng Ibrahim (1886-1895), had close relations with the rulers of the Ottoman Empire, Sultan Abdulaziz and Sultan Abdul Hamid II. In fact, according to historical records, when Sultan Sir Abu Bakar visited Istanbul in 1890, he boarded a horse carriage with Sultan Abdul Hamid II to go to the mosque to offer Friday prayers. At the same time, Ungku Abdul Majid, the younger brother of Sultan Sir Abu Bakar, married Ruggyyah Hanum, who was from Turkey. This marriage has further strengthened bilateral relations and produced the Malay-Turkish community. This proves the strong relationship between Malaysia and Turkey since long ago.
Recently, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah visited Turkey for eight days (15-23 August 2022). The visit, made at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was unique as it symbolised the importance, closeness and solid bilateral relations between Malaysia and Turkey. Earlier, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, paid an official visit to Turkey for four days (5-9 July 2022). Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, met with the President of Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to discuss bilateral relations and current issues. The discussion between the two leaders was held in a friendly and familial atmosphere where President Erdogan called Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri ‘Brother Ismail’ even though this was Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s maiden visit as Prime Minister to Turkey.
Malaysia has the potential to become a trade hub and a gateway for Turkey to markets in Southeast Asia. In line with that, Malaysia and Turkey are currently in the final stages of discussing the creation of a Malaysia-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (MTFTA) that includes investment, services and e-commerce sectors. It should be emphasised that Malaysia is currently one of the leading investors among Muslim countries in Turkey. Malaysia’s investments in Turkey include the energy sector, airport operations and healthcare.
Many may not know that Sabiha Gokeen International Airport in Istanbul is managed by Malaysia Airports Holding Bhd (MAHB). Now discussions are being held further to expand cooperation between MAHB and other airports in Turkey. Malaysia and Turkey also have the potential to develop the Islamic tourism industry because both countries can offer Islamic holiday packages by visiting places of worship and history, such as the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. In 2019, a total of 107,000 Malaysians visited Turkey, while a total of 15,000 Turkish citizens made Malaysia their preferred tourist destination. With the border re-opening, the tourism industry between Malaysia and Turkey is expected to grow again.
Malaysia-Turkey economic relations have developed enormously. In 2015, the total value of trade between the two countries was $1.4 billion, but this figure increased to $4 billion in 2021. At the same time, Malaysia exported more than $1.06 billion of palm oil and its products to support growing demand. Turkey also has the potential to become a hub for the production and marketing of palm oil products to Europe and the Middle East. In addition, Malaysia and Turkey are also working in Islamic banking and finance. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri and President Erodan have agreed to establish Islamic digital banking through a collaboration between Boustead Holding Bhd and Turkey Great East Capital (GEC).
It should be emphasised that Turkey is Malaysia’s third largest trading partner in the Middle East, after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with total trade between the two countries recording RM16.97 billion in 2021 and projects implemented worth RM444.59 million. Turkey has the potential to help Malaysia develop this defence industry because Turkey has its expertise. This matter is crucial because it is in line with the modernisation of Malaysia’s defence system, continuously considering current geopolitical developments, especially border control and the situation in the South China Sea. However, this cooperation should not be limited to the purchase of defence equipment but include the transfer of technology with the opening of a defence equipment factory in Malaysia. Then Malaysia will become the centre of assembly and distribution of Turkish defence equipment among ASEAN countries.
Malaysia and Turkey are also committed to supporting the struggle of the Palestinian people to free their country from Israeli occupation and become sovereign. Both countries are members of the United Nations (UN), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Malaysia and Turkey use multilateral means to voice the issue of oppression of the Palestinian people through the UN and the OIC.
The relationship between Malaysia and Turkey has been developing for a long time and can even be compared to siblings. The visits by the Yang di Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Prime Minister Datuk Sri Ismail Sabri to Turkey are a continuation of the Malaysia-Turkey family spirit.
[Photo credit: BERNAMA]
