PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be awarded the Order of the Republic, Turkiye's highest award for foreign leaders. The award is in recognition of his role in strengthening Malaysia-Turkiye bilateral relations, which are now at a strategic level.
According to Malaysian Ambassador to Turkiye, Sazali Mustafa Kamal, the prestigious award will be presented by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Complex, tomorrow.
Sazali said the Order of the Republic is awarded to foreign heads of government who have successfully strengthened bilateral relations with Turkey.
"President Erdogan will award the Order of the Republic to the Prime Minister during this official visit.
“This award is a high recognition that will be given to a leader who has brought closer and strengthened bilateral relations between Malaysia and Turkey," he said at a press conference at the JW Marriott Ankara, today.
He added that the award to Anwar reflects Turkiye's recognition of his leadership and contribution in strengthening diplomatic, political and economic relations between the two countries.
The award also symbolizes the closeness of bilateral relations which was strengthened through the Prime Minister's official visit to Turkey, in addition to the active involvement of both leaderships in expanding cooperation at the regional and international levels.
As a token of appreciation, President Erdogan and his wife, Emine Erdogan, will host the Prime Minister and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, at an official dinner, which will also be one of the highlights of the Prime Minister's official visit to the country.
The Prime Minister is on his first official visit to Turkiye at the invitation of President Erdogan from 6 to 8 January.
He is accompanied by his wife and several Cabinet ministers, including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir; and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani. – January 6, 2026
