Kazakhstan - Malaysia relations
General information
Bilateral cooperation dates back to December 31, 1991 when Malaysia recognized the independence of Kazakhstan.
On March 16, 1992, two countries established diplomatic relations. Over the years, Kazakhstan and Malaysia have developed a constructive and trusting dialogue. Bilateral relations are developing dynamically within the framework of both regional and international organizations.
In 1996, Kazakhstan opened its first Embassy in South-East Asia in Kuala Lumpur, and in the same year, Malaysia opened its Embassy in Kazakhstan.
Since 1996, Astana maintains sister city relationship with Putrajaya.
In February 2021, by the decree of the President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Bulat Sugurbayev has been appointed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Malaysia.
Since December 2022, the Ambassador of Malaysia to Kazakhstan has become H.E. Mohd Adli Bin Abdullah.
High-level visits
1996 - official visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev to Malaysia.
1996 - official visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad to Kazakhstan.
2006 - state visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev to Malaysia.
2011 - official visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia N. Razak to Kazakhstan.
2012 - state visit of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.Nazarbayev to Malaysia.
2014 - official visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia N. Razak to Kazakhstan.
Inter-MFA consultations
On June 13, 2017, inter-MFA political consultations were held at the level of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan A.Kamaldinov and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia R.Ibrahim.
Inter-parliamentary cooperation
Kazakhstan and Malaysia continue to develop relations within the framework of inter-parliamentary cooperation.
2013 - visit of the President of the Senate of the Parliament of Malaysia Abu Zahar Ujang to Kazakhstan.
2019 - visit of the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of Malaysia M.Ariff to the Republic of Kazakhstan to participate in the 4th Meeting of Speakers of the Parliaments of the Eurasian countries.
2019 - visit of the deputy of the Majilis of the Parliament Sh.Utemissov to Malaysia.
Trade and economic cooperation
In 2022, the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $144.7 million (exports - $485.1 thousand, imports - $144.2 million). In 2021 - $103.9 million (export - $1.2 million, import - $102.7 million). For 2020 - $183 million (export - $56.6 million, import - $126.5 million).
Interaction within international organizations
Cooperation in the framework of the international fora and mutual support is one of the essential directions of the two countries' foreign policy. Kazakhstan and Malaysia share common positions on topical issues of the global agenda, such as the fight against international terrorism and extremism, dialogue between the Muslim world and the West, the creation of a fair trade and investment for developing countries, etc.
Astana and Putrajaya actively interact through international and regional institutions: the UN, OIC, CICA (Malaysia has an observer status), the Dialogue for Cooperation in Asia and other organizations, including through the exchange of mutual support for candidates in international organizations.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation
Kazakhstan-Malaysian cooperation in the cultural and humanitarian field is very active. Days of culture of Kazakhstan are held in the country, including the celebration of Nauryz, scientific and practical conferences, seminars and concerts of creative groups, as well as sports events that contribute to the spiritual rapprochement of the peoples of the two countries.
The two countries have established strong cooperation in the field of education and science. On April 18, 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of higher education was signed, the Kazakh-Malaysian Joint Working Group on Higher Education was formed. Over 10 memorandums of understanding and cooperation have been signed between universities of Kazakhstan and Malaysia.