Anwar Ibrahim meets Malaysian diaspora and friends of Malaysia in Ashgabat

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met members of the Malaysian diaspora and friends of Malaysia in Turkmenistan during a special reception held in Ashgabat on 18 June, marking the beginning of his official visit to the country.

The event, titled "Dinner with Malaysian Diaspora and Friends of Malaysia in Turkmenistan," brought together Malaysian citizens residing and working in Turkmenistan, representatives of Malaysian companies, diplomats and invited guests.

Welcoming participants, Malaysia's Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Mohd Suhaimi Ahmad Tajuddin, highlighted the role of the Malaysian community in strengthening ties between Malaysia and Turkmenistan. He expressed appreciation for the contributions made by Malaysians working in various sectors, particularly in energy and business.

The programme also featured remarks by Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir and Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari Abdul Ghani, who outlined Malaysia's economic priorities and emphasized the importance of expanding international cooperation and investment opportunities.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim thanked Malaysians abroad for serving as ambassadors of their country and contributing to Malaysia's international reputation. He also shared his expectations for the visit, which focused on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new areas of cooperation with Turkmenistan.

The reception provided an opportunity for members of the Malaysian community to engage directly with the Prime Minister and senior government officials accompanying him on the visit.

The evening concluded with a photo session and a cultural programme featuring an orchestra performance conducted by Turkmen musician Rovshen Nepesov.

The gathering underscored the importance Malaysia places on maintaining close ties with its citizens overseas while promoting stronger people-to-people connections with partner countries.