MALAYSIA and the Kyrgyz Republic have taken a significant step towards strengthening bilateral relations with the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and Exchanges of Notes (EoNs) during President Sadyr Zhaparov’s maiden official visit to Malaysia.
The agreements, which span sectors such as tourism, healthcare, higher education, digital transformation, cybersecurity and legal cooperation, were formalised at a signing ceremony held at Seri Perdana and witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and President Zhaparov.
Bernama cited three MoUs covering tourism, digital transformation, cybersecurity and trade were exchanged between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Kyrgyz Minister of Economy and Trade Bakyt Sydykov, and Minister of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies Azamat Jamangulov.
Mohamad Hasan also exchanged two EoNs relating to diplomatic and youth training with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev and Minister of Culture, Information and Youth Policy Mirbek Mambetaliev, as well as a Letter of Intent (LoI) on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters.
In the area of higher education, Minister of Higher Education Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir signed an MoU with Kyrgyz Minister of Science, Higher Education and Innovation Baktyiar Orozov. A separate MoU on healthcare cooperation was exchanged between Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and his Kyrgyz counterpart Erkin Checheibaev.
Two further MoUs were signed between the National Institute of Strategic Initiatives (NISI) under the Kyrgyz presidency and Malaysia’s Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), as well as between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic.
ISIS Malaysia was represented by its chairman, Professor Datuk Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, while NISI was represented by Kyrgyz Minister of Justice Aiaz Baetov.
The trade-focused MoU between business chambers was signed by NCCIM President Datuk Seri N. Gobalakrishnan and Kyrgyz Chamber President Temir Sariev.
Kyrgyz Yurt Ceremony Symbolises Cultural Exchange
Earlier, Anwar and Zhaparov attended a traditional Kyrgyz Yurt ceremony, featuring a ‘Boz Ui’, or “Grey House”, a traditional nomadic dwelling emblematic of Kyrgyz cultural heritage. The symbolic event, held on the sidelines of official engagements, offered Malaysians a rare insight into the Kyrgyz way of life and the craftsmanship of the portable, circular wooden structure used by herders across Central Asia.
The leaders entered the yurt together, accompanied by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Putrajaya Corporation president Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud, underscoring a moment of cross-cultural solidarity.
Expanding Strategic Cooperation
According to Wisma Putra, discussions between the two leaders during the two-day visit cover a broad agenda, including trade and investment, renewable energy, the halal industry, agricommodities, education, and human capital development through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
An official luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Anwar was held in honour of President Zhaparov and his delegation at the Seri Perdana Complex.
In 2024, the Kyrgyz Republic ranked as Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner in Central Asia, with total bilateral trade amounting to RM40 million (USD8.74 million).
Malaysian exports included electrical and electronic products, palm oil and machinery, while imports from Kyrgyzstan consisted mainly of chemicals, processed food, and electronic components.
The series of agreements and cultural engagements mark a new chapter in Malaysia-Kyrgyz relations, laying the foundation for enhanced collaboration across multiple strategic sectors. - June 25, 2025
