Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim has stated today that the Malaysian government will grant Maldives' request and extend a USD 100 million facility. He added that the Malaysian government will also accommodate other requests made by the Maldives.
In the joint press statement made following talks between President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Prime Minister Anwar, the Prime Minister stated that President Muizzu had made several requests of the Malaysian government.
One such request was from the Maldives Monetary Authority, seeking a USD 100 million facility from the Malaysian central bank, Bank Negara Malaysia (MNB). Prime Minister Anwar announced that the request would be granted and asked the two countries' central banks to proceed with arrangements.
Details of the facility being extended by MNB have not been made available as of yet.
Prime Minister Anwar also addressed concerns raised regarding parents being unable to obtain visas to stay with Maldivian students studying in Malaysia. He described this as a bureaucratic issue and assured that it would be raised at the next cabinet meeting.
"I do not see this as a policy issue. This is because we have no issues with Maldivians living, working or studying in Malaysia," he said.
He also assured that challenges faced by Maldivians seeking medical services in Malaysia will also be addressed.
PM Anwar agrees to engage with Petronas on exploring for oil in Maldives
Prime Minister Anwar went on to say that, in response to President Muizzu's appeal to secure assistance from Malaysia's national oil and gas company, Petronas, in exploring for oil in Maldives, he will discuss potential avenues of cooperation with the company.
He listed several countries that Petronas is currently working with, and said that he does not believe it would be a challenge for the company to work with neighbouring Maldives. According to the Prime Minister, Petronas is currently working in Canada, Brazil, Peru, Turkmenistan, Sudan and Suriname.
"So I don't think it will be an issue for them to come to Maldives, which is so close by. Even if they are not able to find oil, they can at least rest for some days here," he joked.
Prime Minister Anwar announced that a meeting of a joint commission representing the two countries will be held before the end of the year to pursue further avenues of cooperation.
