Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim stated today 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.

PM Anwar praised Petronas' competence in the field, listing several countries the company is currently active in, 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. 

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. He stated that Malaysia will address all those requests.

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. 

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.