Iran–Malaysia relations

Iran–Malaysia relations
Map indicating locations of Iran and Malaysia

Iran
Malaysia

Iran–Malaysia relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Iran and Malaysia. Iran has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur,[1] and Malaysia has an embassy in Tehran.[2] Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and have used these forums and bilateral relations to develop political ties.

History

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Relations between the two countries have existed since the independence of Malaya. While Persian influences in Malay Peninsula are much longer with the traces were discovered some centuries ago as they were once engaged in trade in Lembah Bujang and Malacca together with the traces of Persian literature in Malay language.[3]

Economic relations

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Both countries have co-operated in a number of large industrial projects, many of them in the energy sector.[4] Earlier in October 2007, Iran and Malaysia are working towards an extensive multilateral oil refinery deal with Venezuela in Syria.[5] In December 2007, the two signed a US$6 billion deal to develop areas of Iran's offshore gas fields.[6]

In January 2017, the two countries are set to pursue a free trade agreement.[7] A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on gas field study was signed in February between National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and Malaysia's Bukhary International Ventures (BIV).[8] Both countries have integrated their banking transactions and also agreed to use local currencies along with Chinese yuan and Japanese yen in their bilateral trade.[9][10][11] As of 2015, there are around 5,000 Iranian students in Malaysia, while only 15 Malaysian students in Iran.[12]

Political relations

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Despite these matters of historical traces, political relations between two countries are recently tense due to alleged Iranian interferences promoting Shi'a Islam in largely Salafi-Sunni adherence of Malaysia which in response the latter government has passed several anti-Shi'a laws to limit the activities of Shi'a followers in the country to prevent their spread.[13][14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Embassy of Islamic Republic of Iran in Kuala Lumpur". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Tehran". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  3. ^ Marzieh Afkham (5 November 2016). "Iran-Malaysia ties: To strengthen commonalities". New Straits Times. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  4. ^ Ariel Farrar-Wellman (29 June 2010). "Malaysia-Iran Foreign Relations". Critical Threats. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  5. ^ "Syria, Iran, Malaysia and Venezuela ink 2.6-billion-dollar oil deal". DPA News. Digital Journal. 30 October 2007. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  6. ^ Aresu Eqbali (27 December 2007). "Iran-Malaysia sign 6 billion dollar gas deal". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Malaysia set to pursue FTA with Iran by end-Jan 2017". Bernama. The Star. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  8. ^ "Iran, Malaysia Sign MoU For Gas Fields Study". Bernama. 9 February 2017. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  9. ^ "Iran, Malaysia to expand trade ties using local currencies". Mehr News Agency. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  10. ^ "Iran, Malaysia Integrating Banking Transactions". Financial Tribune. 25 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  11. ^ "Iran, Malaysia Agree to Trade in Yen, Yuan: Official". Tasnim News Agency. 25 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  12. ^ "Iran keen to have more Malaysian students". Bernama. The Malay Mail. 12 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  13. ^ David Hutt (3 February 2018). "No safe place for SEAsia's Shia Muslims". Asia Times. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  14. ^ Claire McCartney (22 August 2013). "Malaysian government to Shia Muslims: Keep your beliefs to yourself". GlobalPost. PRI. Retrieved 2 April 2018.


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