Sectors for Malaysia – Australia cooperation
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted renewable energy, green tech, digital advancements, and food security as critical avenues for Malaysia and Australia to explore further cooperation.
“Malaysia could substantially benefit from Australia’s advancements” he said.
“I think renewable energy, green technology and digital, and, of course, food security is important and is something of dire need in many countries, including Malaysia,” he said in a joint press conference with Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese here on Monday (March 4) in conjunction with his official visit to Australia.
Later leaders of both countries also expressed intentions to enhance cooperation on maritime decarbonization for green shipping and the clean energy transition while they also engaged in more comprehensive information sharing and cyber-skills development, as reported by The Australian.
Malaysia and Australia successfully formalized four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in Melbourne during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Australia, promising positive changes for Malaysia.
“The four MOUs are of course a remarkable milestone in charting a more progressive future, and they underscore the substantive success and outcome of our meetings,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a joint press conference with Australia PM.
Prime Minister Albanese revealed that in their recent meetings, he and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed their dedication to tackling cyber threats. They announced plans for enhanced information sharing, cyber skill development, and collaboration on immigration and border concerns between Australia and Malaysia, according to The Australian.
Australia’s Prime Minister also unveiled plans to appoint 10 additional “business champions” whose jobs are to advance economic opportunities in Southeast Asia and Australia. Additionally, he added that the Australian government pledged an additional $140 million to extend a pivotal infrastructure partnership program.
Australian government’s decision to reprioritise ASEAN received praise from ASEAN secretary-general Kao Kim Houm, who added that there was a “lot of room to improve, with opportunities in food security, renewable energy, the digital economy and tourism.
He also announced the upcoming launch of an Australian-ASEAN centre aimed at advancing the interests of both regions.
“The centre will be based In Australia” Dr, Houm said. “Also there will be a new scholarships program to benefit young people…And that is the future of ASEAN Australia