Kuala lumpur: Malaysian Ambassador to Amman, Mohamad Nasri Abdul Rahman, highlighted the enduring and friendly relations between Malaysia and Jordan, dating back to the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1965, in a recent interview in connection with Malaysia’s National Day.
According to Jordan News Agency, the ambassador emphasized the collaborative efforts of both nations under the auspices of the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. He noted Malaysia’s partnership with Jordan on the Palestinian issue and outlined key areas of bilateral cooperation, including politics, trade, investment, energy, education, defense, Islamic affairs, culture, tourism, and Palestinian matters.
This year marks a notable milestone in Malaysian-Jordanian relations, commemorating 60 years of diplomatic engagement. To celebrate, the Malaysian Embassy is coordinating with various agencies and institutions in Jordan to organize commemorative activities.
Jordan benefits from Malaysia’s initiatives within the OIC framework, with Jordanian participants taking part in Malaysia’s capacity-building programs. Anticipating future economic and trade cooperation, the ambassador mentioned that 2025 will present new opportunities to strengthen economic ties, as both regions emerge as important markets despite connectivity challenges.
The appointment of the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organisation (JSMO) as a recognized foreign Halal certification body by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia is expected to enhance Jordanian exports to Malaysia’s halal market. The Malaysian Embassy and the Amman Chamber of Commerce are collaborating on mutual interests, including medical, pharmaceutical, and renewable energy sectors, and plan to host a trade webinar to connect companies from both countries.
On cultural and educational exchange, there is existing collaboration between Malaysian and Jordanian universities, with plans to increase activities in digital education, Islamic finance, medical sciences, and language research. A Jordanian offshore campus in Malaysia is also in the works, elevating bilateral cooperation to an institutional level.
In July, a delegation from the Jordanian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research visited Malaysia to fortify higher education ties, including faculty and student exchanges. Malaysia’s approach to ethnic and cultural diversity emphasizes unity while respecting individual rights to languages, religions, and traditions, fostering national pride and community cohesion.
Regarding the Palestinian cause, Malaysia maintains a principled stance, condemning Israel’s military actions in Gaza and advocating for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders. Malaysia rejects normalization with Israel and calls for an immediate ceasefire and the end of the Gaza blockade.
The Malaysian community in Jordan, primarily students, engages in cultural exchanges with Jordanian peers. Events like the Malaysian cultural event and Discover Malaysia course enhance mutual understanding and cultural ties. Plans for similar future programs aim to strengthen these cultural links.