ASHGABAT (TURKMENISTAN), June 19 — After completing a two-day working visit to Kazan in the Republic of Tatarstan, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here late last night in the ‘White Marble City’ for the next leg of his visit to Central Asia.
The aircraft carrying Anwar landed at Ashgabat International Airport at 8 pm local time (11 pm Malaysian time) for a two-day official visit from June 18 to 19.
The prime minister was accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Economy Datuk Seri Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, as well as officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Ministry.
Upon arrival, Anwar was received by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Turkmenistan Mohd Suhaimi Ahmad Tajuddin, while the Turkmen delegation was led by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers for Oil and Gas Guvanch Agajanov.
Wisma Putra said earlier today that the official visit is at the invitation of Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and reciprocates the president’s official visit to Malaysia in December 2024.
The trip marks Anwar’s first official visit to Turkmenistan and the fifth by a Malaysian prime minister.
Upon arrival, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, attended a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora and friends of Malaysia.
During the event, the prime minister and his entourage met with around 300 members of the Malaysian diaspora in Turkmenistan and friends of Malaysia.
In his speech, Anwar said Malaysia could rise and become a leading nation through clear economic policies and advancements in science and emerging technologies.
“But to achieve that, we must have leaders, a private sector and a public service that remain committed and disciplined, put an end to the damage caused by abuse of power and corruption, and stay focused on working together,” he said.
Anwar also said Malaysia is keen to collaborate with the Central Asian nation in various industries beyond the oil and gas sector.
Earlier, during a media briefing, Mohd Suhaimi said there are around 177 registered Malaysians residing in Turkmenistan, most of whom are employees of Petronas Carigali Turkmenistan Sdn Bhd and their families.
He said several other Malaysians are employed by international oil and gas companies in the country, as well as in other sectors.
Official engagements today will begin with a welcoming ceremony hosted by Berdimuhamedov at the Presidential Palace, followed by a one-on-one meeting, bilateral talks, the signing of a joint statement by both leaders, and an exchange of agreements and memoranda of understanding already concluded by the two governments.
Wisma Putra said Anwar is also scheduled to attend an official luncheon hosted by Berdimuhamedov before performing Friday prayers at the Turkmenbashi Ruhy Mosque, also known as the Gypjak Mosque.
The prime minister is expected to jointly officiate the Malaysia-Turkmenistan Forum with Berdimuhamedov at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan later in the evening, before holding a press conference with Malaysian media and concluding the visit.
In 2025, Turkmenistan was Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner among Central Asian nations.
Total trade between Malaysia and Turkmenistan amounted to RM75.80 million, with Malaysian exports valued at RM75.50 million, representing a 9 per cent increase from the previous year.
Turkmenistan is also a major investment destination for national oil company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), with the company’s cumulative investments in the country reaching RM52.73 billion since 1996.
