Anwar, Takaichi Hold Talks On Energy, Security And Economic Cooperation
TOKYO, June 10 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in energy, strategic industries and supply chain resilience during talks between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said other issues discussed included defence and maritime security, strategic industries, energy transition, financial cooperation, human capital development, as well as regional and international issues.
On energy cooperation, he said Malaysia and Japan concluded a long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales and purchase agreement between Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) and Japan’s JERA Co Inc for the supply of two million tonnes per annum over 20 years beginning in 2028.
“This is a remarkable feat and a success in terms of trust and collaboration between the two great friendly countries,” he said in a joint press conference after the bilateral meeting today, marking his first official visit to Japan since taking office.
On defence and maritime security, Anwar said Malaysia, as a maritime nation, would continue to strengthen cooperation with Japan under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework.
He said work would continue this year on finalising a Memorandum of Cooperation on maritime safety and security, which Malaysia would support.
Anwar said both countries also discussed cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technologies, critical minerals and resilient supply chains.
He said Malaysia was following Japan’s POWERR Asia (Partnership on Wide Energy and Resources Resilience Asia) initiative under Takaichi’s leadership.
On financial cooperation, he said both countries had expanded their bilateral currency swap arrangement to facilitate transactions in ringgit and yen.
According to Anwar, Malaysia and Japan had agreed to extend four Memoranda of Cooperation covering maritime safety and security, environment and sustainability, solid waste management and medical device regulatory frameworks.
The two countries also agreed to two Letters of Intent covering energy security and energy transition, as well as academic exchanges between the University of Tokyo and the International Islamic University Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA