Malaysia–Qatar relations

Malaysia–Qatar relations (Malay: Hubungan Malaysia–Qatar; Jawi: هوبوڠن مليسيا–قطر; Arabic: العلاقات الماليزية القطرية‎ alealaqat almaliziat alqataria) are foreign relations between Malaysia and Qatar. Malaysia has an embassy in Doha,[1] and Qatar has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur since 2004.[2][3]

Malaysia–Qatar relations

Malaysia
Qatar
Diplomatic mission
Malaysian Embassy, DohaQatari Embassy, Kuala Lumpur
Envoy
Ambassador Ahmad Fadil ShamsuddinAmbassador Vacant
Chargé d'affaires a.i. Mansoor Ali Al-Hajri

Economic relations

The relations between the two countries are mainly in the economic relations.[4] In 2011, both countries has announced a US$2 billion joint investment fund and the signing of co-operation agreements in the fields of tourism and higher education.[2] Many Malaysians companies also had secured a total of 25 projects in Qatar.[5] While in 2013, the Qatar Airways plans to expand its services into Malaysia by working with the Malaysia Airlines.[6] Qatar also has expressed its interest on the local aviation industry in one of the Malaysian state, Sarawak along with the investments in energy, industry and halal production.[7][8] In 2018, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to expand the reach of women entrepreneurs in global markets.[9]

Al Jazeera's documentary controversy

In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, Al Jazeera, a Qatari state-owned and multinational media corporation, broadcast a documentary called Locked Up in Malaysia's Lockdown about the lockdown of Malaysia and its negative effects on the migrant population.[10] However, this has led to tensions between Malaysia and Qatar to arise, as Malaysian government has deemed it "sedition", and had arrested a Bangladeshi migrant who criticized Malaysia's handling efforts, which eventually led to his deportation.[11] Tensions between Qatar and Malaysia further escalated when Malaysian authorities decided to raid the bureau of the channel and interrogating Al Jazeera journalists for their work in the country.[12][13]

In Malaysia, the outrage could also be witnessed in public, as Malaysian nationals have demanded an apology from the channel and launched attack on its website.[14] There has been speculation that Saudi Arabia may have been behind the attempt to tarnish Al Jazeera's image in Malaysia.[14] However, as for the result, relationship between Malaysia and Qatar has been heavily soured.

Further reading

References
  1. "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Doha". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  2. "Why is Qatar's emir visiting Malaysia?". Al Jazeera. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  3. "Embassy of Qatar in Kuala Lumpur". Embassy Vietnam. Archived from the original on 16 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  4. "Najib, Emir witnesses Malaysia-Qatar bilateral trade agreement". bilaterals.org. 20 May 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  5. "Malaysia hails cordial relations with Qatar". The Peninsula. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 15 January 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  6. B.K. Sidhu (30 October 2013). "Qatar Airways plans to expand Malaysian services". The Star. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  7. Arno Maierbrugger (13 March 2013). "UAE, Qatar step up Malaysia investment". Investvine. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  8. Arno Maierbrugger (7 March 2013). "Qatar set to invest in Sarawak halal hub". Investvine. Retrieved 16 January 2014.
  9. "Malaysia, Qatar ink MoU to expand women's reach in global markets". Bernama. The Malay Mail. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  10. https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2020/07/locked-malaysia-lockdown-200702104523280.html
  11. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53537312
  12. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/jul/10/police-interrogate-five-australian-al-jazeera-journalists-accused-of-sedition-in-malaysia
  13. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/malaysian-police-raid-al-jazeera-office-seize-computers-200804093848514.html
  14. https://thewire.in/media/malaysia-al-jazeera-migrants-documentary


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