Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to arrive in the Maldives tonight for his first visit to the country since taking office, with preparations underway in Malé for an official welcome.
Anwar is visiting at the invitation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and is expected to hold official talks with the President during the visit, focusing on strengthening the longstanding relationship between the Maldives and Malaysia.
Preparations for his arrival were underway on Sunday around Izzudheen Jetty, Republic Square and the President’s Office, the area traditionally used to formally welcome visiting heads of state and government.
A ceremonial archway is being prepared near Izzudheen Jetty, while arrangements are also being made at Republic Square ahead of the Malaysian leader’s arrival.
President Muizzu invited Anwar to visit the Maldives during his official visit to Malaysia in April 2025, when the two leaders held talks aimed at expanding cooperation between the countries.
The visit will be Anwar’s first to the Maldives since he became Malaysia’s prime minister in November 2022.
During the visit, President Muizzu and Anwar are expected to discuss bilateral relations as well as opportunities for greater cooperation between the two countries on the international stage.
The talks are also expected to explore new areas in which Malé and Kuala Lumpur can deepen their partnership, with several agreements due to be signed during the visit.
Malaysia and the Maldives maintain close relations spanning education, tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people ties. Malaysia has also long been a major destination for Maldivians seeking higher education, healthcare and other services.
President Muizzu’s visit to Malaysia last year provided fresh momentum to the relationship, with discussions covering economic cooperation and opportunities to expand engagement across a number of sectors.
Anwar, 79, has served as Malaysia’s prime minister since November 24, 2022, following decades as one of the country’s most prominent political figures.
His rise to the premiership marked a dramatic political comeback after a career that saw him serve as deputy prime minister in the 1990s before becoming a leading opposition figure.
Since taking office, Anwar has pursued his Malaysia MADANI reform agenda, which places emphasis on governance, economic development and social cohesion in the diverse Southeast Asian nation.
He has also maintained a prominent international profile on issues affecting the Muslim world, particularly Palestine. Anwar has repeatedly voiced strong support for Palestinian rights and has been an outspoken critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
His visit to the Maldives is expected to provide another opportunity for the two Muslim-majority nations to coordinate on international issues while expanding bilateral cooperation in economic and development-related areas.
Anwar’s visit comes more than a year after President Muizzu travelled to Malaysia, and is expected to mark another step in strengthening diplomatic ties between Malé and Kuala Lumpur.
