# Anwar pushes Malaysia-Maldives ties toward real gains

> Anwar Ibrahim used his Maldives visit to turn warm ties into trade, training, tourism and climate cooperation.
- Title: Anwar pushes Malaysia-Maldives ties toward real gains
- Summary: Anwar Ibrahim used his Maldives visit to turn warm ties into trade, training, tourism and climate cooperation. Malaysia and the Maldives want their…
- Keywords: anwar ibrahim, malaysia, maldives, abdul raheem abdulla, hussain mohamed latheef, iruthisham adam, mohamed muizzu, trade and investment, tourism, digital economy, climate resilience, commonwealth parliamentary association
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/16/anwar-calls-for-malaysia-maldives-ties-to-deliver-tangible-gains-in-trade-tourism-and-digital-economy/235353
- Published: 2026-09-16T08:48:18+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: anwar ibrahim, malaysia, maldives, abdul raheem abdulla, hussain mohamed latheef, iruthisham adam, mohamed muizzu, trade and investment, tourism, digital economy, climate resilience, commonwealth parliamentary association
## Parliament links first
Anwar said Malaysia and the Maldives can deepen parliamentary cooperation through exchange visits, shared experience and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

> Malaysia and the Maldives had ample scope to learn from each other’s experiences
## Governance lessons shared
He framed both countries as Commonwealth partners that can learn from each other on institutions, governance and public sector capacity.

> strengthening institutions, enhancing governance and improving public sector capacity
## Speaker meeting set tone
The remarks followed Anwar’s courtesy call with People’s Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla during his two-day official visit to the Maldives.
## Cooperation list widens
Anwar also met Maldivian leaders on education, defence, trade, investment, tourism, the halal industry and the digital economy.

> expand cooperation in strategic areas
## Skills are a focus
With Vice-President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Anwar discussed higher education, TVET, professional training and human capital development.
## Business needs targets
Officials and business groups were urged to find specific openings in trade, investment, tourism, halal products and digital services, so ties produce clear benefits.

> translated into tangible benefits
## Climate stays central
Both sides also discussed climate resilience and sustainable development, with attention to the Maldives’ pressures as a small developing island nation.

> specific challenges faced by the Maldives
## First visit as PM
Anwar returned home after his first Maldives visit since becoming prime minister, made at President Mohamed Muizzu’s invitation.

> marking his first visit to the Indian Ocean island republic
## Key takeaway

Malaysia and the Maldives want their diplomatic ties to produce practical gains in commerce, skills, governance and resilience.