Australia | Malaysia |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Australian High Commission, Kuala Lumpur | Malaysian High Commission, Canberra |
Envoy | |
High Commissioner | High Commissioner |
Foreign relations exist between Australia and Malaysia. Australia has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur, [1] and Malaysia has a high commission in Canberra. [2] Both Australia and Malaysia are members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements and often participate in military exercises together. [3]
Occasional issues such as perceived Australian influence in Southeast Asian affairs, [4] as well as the detention and execution of Australian citizens in Malaysia, further complicate relations between the two nations. [5]
The two countries have a long-standing institutional history and more people-to-people ties than any other Asian neighbour. [6] Links between Australia and Malaysia can be traced since the 18th century, the Malays participated in the pearling industry off Australia's north coast in the 19th century where their descendants today form an integral part of Darwin’s multicultural society. [7] During World War II, Australian troops were involved in the Malayan Campaign where many of its surviving troops were captured by the Japanese Army and sent to Borneo in Batu Lintang camp and Sandakan camp where they were also forced to participate in death marches, which resulted in the deaths of many Australian prisoners of war with only six of them surviving to see the war ended and subsequent liberation of the Borneo Island by Australian reinforcements. [8] [9] [10] [11] Since then, Australian troops also involved in the Malayan War against the Communists, notably the Malayan Emergency and Second Malayan Emergency where they providing materials and equipments to Malayan security forces, [12] as well in the Malaysia's operation against the Sarawak Communist Insurgency and Indonesia's military infiltration towards its soil prior to the formation of a larger federation that includes North Borneo and Sarawak. [6] [13] [14] [15] The formal relations between the two modern countries started in 1955. [6]
Malaysia is Australia's 10th largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth A$19.2 billion in 2013. [16] The two countries commenced a free trade agreement in January 2013. [16] Major Australian exports to Malaysia include coal, aluminium, copper, crude oil, wheat and sugar, medication, zinc, dairy products, machinery and transport equipment, ferrous waste and scrap, [17] while major Malaysian exports to Australia including crude oil, refined petroleum, chemicals, fats and oils, computer, TVs, radios, telecom equipment and electronic integrated circuits, furniture, mattress and cushions as well machinery and transport equipment. [17]
Australia has established three university campuses in Malaysia. Two campuses are located in Sarawak, East Malaysia: Curtin University and Swinburne University; while one is located in Selangor, West Malaysia: Monash University. Through these campuses, more than 23,000 Malaysians enrolled in Australian institutions. [18] More than 300,000 Malaysian students have also studied in Australia. [18]
In April 2005, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made an official visit to Australia. Other Malaysian ministers undertook separate bilateral visits in the same year including the Minister of Human Resources Fong Chan Onn, Minister of Higher Education, Shafie Salleh, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Adenan Satem and Minister of Transport Chan Kong Choy. [7] The following year, Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Muhyiddin Yassin visited Australia in March 2006 to remove barriers in the halal beef export trade to Malaysia with the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) on agricultural co-operation with Australian counterpart Peter McGauran. [7] Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Syed Hamid Albar visited Australia from 1–8 June 2006 and Minister of International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz visited from 31 July–8 August 2006 to attend the 13th Australia-Malaysia Joint Trade Committee meeting and to run a series of Malaysia trade promotion seminars. [7] From the Australian side, Australia's Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs De-Anne Kelly, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Warren Truss and Minister for Education, Science and Training Brendan Nelson undertook separate bilateral visits to Malaysia in 2005, while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Mark Vaile visited the country in August 2005. [7] In July 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. [19] On 4 November 2012, following the visit made by Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr, the two countries agreed for a joint Australia-Malaysia cultural exchange program for young Australians and Malaysians to travel to each other's countries and develop a stronger understanding of each other cultures and faiths. [20] In June 2022, Malaysian-born Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Malaysia. [21]
Australia and Malaysia have had a well-established tradition of military co-operation, with Australian troops has contributed significantly to Malaysia's defence since its formation. [22] As part of the alliance in Five Power Defence Arrangements, Australia plays a key role in the frequent military exercises between the countries involved. [23] [24] [25] The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) formerly operated the base RMAF Butterworth in Malaysia until the airbase management is transferred to the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in 1970. [26] [27] As part of the FPDA, the RAAF still maintains a presence at this base to this date. [28]
Malaysia has expressed concerns on the AUKUS security pact between Australia, the UK and US, most recently during Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong's visit to Malaysia. Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told reporters he communicated Malaysia's "ongoing concern" about AUKUS spurring a regional arms race. [29]
In 2011, an Australian rare-earths mining company, Lynas has expressed their intention to established a plant in Pahang, Malaysia. [30] The decision was highly opposed by local residents who were living near the proposed site for the plant together with environmentalist groups and Malaysian opposition parties who has expressed their concerns over fears of radioactive contamination. [31] [32] [33] The Himpunan Hijau (Green Assembly) was then formed in March 2011 to protesting the Lynas rare earth project in Malaysia. Despite the protest, construction of the plant continued and it was granted temporary licence by the Malaysian authorities with the plant began its operation from December for the shipment of rare earth oxides. [30] [31] Four Malaysian cabinet member of parliament (MPs) (responsible for trade, science, natural resources and health) have released a joint statement, saying the temporary licence granted to Lynas requires it to remove "all the residue" from the plant out of the country. [32] With the continuous opposition to Lynas operation in the country, several rallies has been held in Kuala Lumpur and 10 other cities in the country, as well as in 34 other countries including during the Bersih 3.0 rally held in 2012. [34] [35] In 2016, the company licence renewed for another three years with a cautious review undertaken by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) of Malaysia. [36]
In July 2011, the two countries signed a refugee swap deal with Australia will send 800 asylum seekers to Malaysia and accept 4,000 verified refugees in return from Malaysia. [37] Most of the asylum seekers are from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Sri Lanka and usually travel to Australia through Malaysia or Indonesia. [38] The deal was however rejected and declared illegal by the High Court of Australia the following month over concerns as Malaysia had no legal guarantee to protect the rights of asylum seekers especially when the country are not a signatory to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, with many evidence has shown the mistreatment of 93,600 asylum seekers in the country including caning and denial of basic rights to the refugees, who mainly come from Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan. [39]
In 2012, Australian Senator Nick Xenophon was on a fact-finding mission to Malaysia when he was caught up in anti-government protests in Kuala Lumpur. [40] Subsequently, on 2 May 2012, the New Straits Times published an article written by journalist Roy See Wei Zhi with a title header "Observer under scrutiny". The report replaced words from a 2009 speech made by Xenophon and turned it into an attack on Islam, ostensibly to pit Malay-Muslim opinion against the senator, who was a known associate of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. [41] In fact, the speech was actually an attack on scientology with his original speech is recorded in the Hansard of the Australian Senate. [42] Xenophon threatened to sue the newspaper for defamation and as a result the offending article was quickly removed from its website. [43] The gaffe sparked media outrage in both Malaysia and Australia which has greatly reinforced public perception that the media merely serve as propaganda mouthpieces for Malaysia's ruling government of Barisan Nasional against all of its political opponents. [42]
The following year on 16 February 2013, Xenophon was detained on arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport's LCCT and refused entry by the Malaysian immigration authorities. [40] [44] He was deported back to Australia on a flight early the next day. Other members of Parliament of Australia cancelled their plans to travel to Malaysia while the matter was resolved. [45] The Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia confirmed that Xenophon was not part of the Australian delegation scheduled to meet Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nazri Aziz submitted to it by an aide to Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition leader in response to claims that it had deliberately denied entry to Xenophon. [46]
Two journalists from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) were detained on 13 March 2016, after attempting to question the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak over corruption allegations towards him, notably the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal. [47]
Malaysia is an active member of various international organisations, including the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. It has also in recent times been an active proponent of regional co-operation.
Bilateral ties between Malaysia and the United States were established upon Malayan independence in 1957. The US was, and still is one of the largest trading partners for Malaysia and is traditionally considered to be Malaysia's oldest and closest ally in military, economic and education sectors. Malaya was the predecessor state to Malaysia, a larger federation formed through the merger of Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore in 1963. Immediately before the merger, the latter three territories were previously part of the British Empire. But the US has had consular and commercial presence in Malaya since the 1800s. US merchants, especially Joseph William Torrey together with Thomas Bradley Harris also had commercial interests in north western coast of Borneo in the 19th century as well, where they established the American Trading Company of Borneo.
Malaysia–Russia relations are the bilateral foreign relations between the two countries, Malaysia and Russia. Russia has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Moscow.
Germany–Malaysia relations are the foreign relations between Germany and Malaysia. Germany has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Berlin.
Malaysia–Sweden relations refers to foreign relations between Malaysia and Sweden. Sweden has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Stockholm. As of 2009, 90 Swedish companies are present in Malaysia and about 450 Swedish citizens live in Malaysia. The number of Swedish citizens visiting Malaysia in 2011 was 44,138.
Bilateral foreign relations exist between Austria and Malaysia. Austria has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Vienna.
Malaysia–United Kingdom relations are bilateral foreign relations between Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Malaysia has a high commission in London, and the United Kingdom has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Canada and Malaysia have a long history of close and friendly bilateral relations. Canada and was one of the first countries to recognise Malaysia's independence. Canada has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has a high commission in Ottawa. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Malaysia–Pakistan relations refer to bilateral foreign relations between the two countries, Malaysia and Pakistan. Pakistan has its high commission (embassy) in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has its high commission in Islamabad. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
Malaysia has a high commission in Dhaka and Bangladesh one in Kuala Lumpur. Both nations are members of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Developing 8 Countries and the Non-Aligned Movement. Malaysia was one of the first countries to recognise the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
Malaysia–New Zealand relations refers to foreign relations between Malaysia and New Zealand. Malaysia has a High Commission in Wellington, and New Zealand has a High Commission in Kuala Lumpur. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations and Malaysia is important to New Zealand for strategic, political and economic reasons, with both countries' leaders were engaged in frequent visits to boost their relations.
India–Malaysia relations, also called the Indo-Malaysian relations, are the bilateral foreign relations between India and Malaysia. India has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has a high commission in New Delhi and a consulate general in Chennai and Mumbai. Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and G15. India and Malaysia are also connected by various cultural and historical ties that date back to antiquity. The two countries are on excellently friendly terms with each other seeing as Malaysia is home to a strong concentration of Indian immigrants. Mahathir Mohamad, the fourth and longest serving Prime Minister of Malaysia has Indian ancestry. On trade front their bilateral trade volume stands at $10.5 billion and is poised to reach $25 billion by 2020.
Japan–Malaysia relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between the two countries Japan and Malaysia. The earliest recorded historical relation between the two nations are the trade relations between the Malacca Sultanate and the Ryūkyū Kingdom in the 15th century. Small numbers of Japanese settlers migrated to various parts of present-day Malaysia throughout the 19th century. This continued well into the 20th century, until relations reached an abrupt nadir with the rise of the Empire of Japan and its subsequent invasion and occupation of British Malaya and Borneo during World War II, during which the local populace endured often brutal Japanese military rule.
Malaysia–South Africa relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Malaysia and South Africa. Malaysia has a high commission in Pretoria, and South Africa has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur. Relations between the two countries have been very good and have continued to improve, with each other view themselves as close partners in the developing world. Both are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Egypt–Malaysia relations are foreign relations between Egypt and Malaysia. Egypt has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Cairo.
Finland–Malaysia relations are foreign relations between Finland and Malaysia. Finland has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Helsinki.
Fiji–Malaysia relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between Fiji and Malaysia. Fiji has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur, which is also accredited to Brunei, the Philippines and Singapore, and Malaysia has a high commission in Suva.
Malaysia–Sri Lanka relations refers to the bilateral foreign relations between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Malaysia has a high commission in Colombo, and Sri Lanka has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and the Group of 77.
Malaysia–Morocco relations refers to bilateral foreign relations between Malaysia and Morocco. Malaysia has an embassy in Rabat, and Morocco has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.