Australia To Bolster Partnership With Malaysia In Promoting Regional Stability And Prosperity
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 (Bernama) -- Australia looks forward to working closely with Malaysia in 2026 to foster stability and promote shared regional prosperity, said Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke.
She emphasised that as close friends and partners, Australia and Malaysia share a vision for a stable, prosperous and sustainable region.
“Australia is committed to working with Malaysia to build on the progress of 2025 with a strong, forward-looking agenda for 2026 – underpinned by the key pillars of partnership that focus on economic prosperity, society and technology, and defence and regional security,” she told selected media during the wrap-up of the 70th anniversary of Australia’s diplomatic presence in Malaysia.
Australia was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Malaysia. Malaysia hosts one of Australia’s largest overseas alumni communities and remains one of Australia’s most significant partners in Southeast Asia.
Heinecke also reflected on how the relationship continues to deepen across key sectors such as education, defence, trade and investment, climate, technology and innovation, and people-to-people links.
“2025 has been a milestone year that not only showcased the enduring warmth between our two countries but also reflected our joint commitment to shaping the next chapter of our partnership,” she said.
In a statement, the High Commission said that this year featured a series of flagship initiatives and commemorative events, including high-level visits such as those by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, business and investment missions, partnership agreements, and public diplomacy activities.
In addition, as ASEAN’s first Dialogue Partner and Comprehensive Strategic Partner, Australia also supported Malaysia’s priorities as the 2025 ASEAN Chair, including on its thematic priorities of ‘inclusivity and sustainability’ through advisory support, seminars, workshops and training.
In the field of education, the High Commission said that Australia and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to advancing cooperation in education with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on school education between the Australian Department of Education and Malaysia’s Education Ministry in October 2025.
On defence matters, RM450 million was allocated to upgrade infrastructure and facilities at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth. Australia and Malaysia also co-chaired the ASEAN Maritime Cybersecurity Conference with the Defence Ministry.
It is also the inaugural year of Task Force Tiger, established between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Royal Malaysian Police’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department to combat narcotics trafficking between Malaysia and Australia.
“The taskforce conducted eight successful operations disrupting over 1.9 tonnes of illicit drugs, seized in both Australia and Malaysia, including one of Malaysia’s largest ever seizures of methamphetamine concealed in 32 tonnes of paraffin wax, detected at Port Klang, en route from Iran to Australia,” it added.
The High Commission also noted that in the year ending October 2025, a total of 207,000 Malaysian travellers visited Australia, spending a combined AUD900 million.
As of December 2025, weekly flights have risen to 125. Key aviation developments this year included AirAsia Malaysia’s launch of the KL-Darwin route in June and Malaysia Airlines' resumption of KL-Brisbane flights in November.
-- BERNAMA
