Relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia transcend beyond traditional diplomacy, thanks to the rapport between UAE president Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al Nahyan and Yang-di Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Their Majesties have cultivated a bond since their military training days at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in the United Kingdom during the late 1970s.
Both were college mates in 1978 and 1979 and the close friendship between them has remained ever since. This was evident from the official visit of the UAE president to Malaysia at the invitation of Sultan Abdullah in conjunction with the Agong’s installation ceremony on July 30, 2019.
The efforts by the royals from both sides to help take the bilateral ties to greater heights continue as can be seen from the special visit by Sheikh Mohamed’s eldest son, His Highness Sheikh Khaled from May 21 to 24.
Senior fellow at the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR), Prof Azmi Hassan said the relationship between the two royals has not only fostered a deep personal connection but has also laid a foundation for extensive cooperation, resulting in benefits for both nations.
“Malaysia and UAE’s relationship is very special because the current Agong and the UAE president are close friends as both royals underwent military training at the same time in RMAS from 1978-79 when both were crown princes back then,” he told Bernama.
He also said the Agong’s (above, left) recent seven-day special visit to UAE from Feb 24 this year and His Majesty meeting Sheikh Mohamed (above, right) at that time was a testament to the ties between the UAE and Malaysia, exemplifying the commitment to strengthening diplomatic, economic, and cultural collaboration.
In December 2022, the Malaysian King was also on a four-day special visit to Abu Dhabi at the private invitation of the UAE president. Earlier in 2019, Sultan Abdullah also visited UAE.
Covid vaccines
Azmi said the special relationship shared by the two royals has resulted in the UAE government providing Covid-19 vaccines to Malaysia, which is deemed one of the highlights of UAE-Malaysia relations.
He said as part of their commitment to global health, the UAE donated one million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in 2022, contributing to Malaysia’s efforts to combat the pandemic.
The geostrategist said this significant gesture not only showcased the UAE’s solidarity with Malaysia but also strengthened the bond between the two countries in the face of a common global challenge.
In addition to vaccine donations, the UAE armed forces aircraft also joined the search for MH370, which vanished with 239 people aboard on May 8, 2014, besides showing support during times of crisis by assisting Malaysia with the humanitarian mission in Syria to help earthquake victims.
Azmi said the contribution of 250 tonnes of humanitarian aid to flood victims in Malaysia in the first week of 2022 demonstrated the UAE’s commitment to alleviating suffering and assisting in times of natural disasters.
“All this shows that the personal close relationship between the Agong and the UAE president has translated into both countries helping each other during crises and tough times,” he said.
He also said UAE is Malaysia’s biggest trading partner in the Middle East and West Asia and believed the position can be elevated further by proving Malaysia can be a hub for UAE to reach out to the other nine Asean member countries which have 600 million consumers.
Azmi said Malaysia, through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), could also use its position as a hub for UAE trade and investment.
Trade partners
In 2022, the UAE was Malaysia’s second-largest export destination and second-largest import source among West Asia countries, according to the Foreign Ministry.
From January to October 2022, total trade with the UAE increased by 79.2 percent to RM32.57 billion (US$7.43 billion) compared to RM18.18 billion (US$4.40 billion) for the corresponding period in 2021.
Meanwhile, on the visit by His Highness Sheikh Khaled, a statement from the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said it is his first visit to Malaysia since his appointment as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council on March 29, 2023.
His Highness Sheikh Khaled is expected to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim tomorrow (May 22) and have an audience with Sultan Abdullah on Tuesday (May 23).
The special visit would further strengthen the longstanding relations with the UAE that were elevated to a strategic partnership level on Sept 27, 2022.
- Bernama
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