Malaysia–Sweden relations

Malaysia–Sweden relations
Map indicating locations of Malaysia and Sweden

Malaysia
Sweden

Malaysia–Sweden relations refers to foreign relations between Malaysia and Sweden. Sweden has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur,[1] and Malaysia has an embassy in Stockholm.[2] As of 2009, 90 Swedish companies are present in Malaysia and about 450 Swedish citizens live in Malaysia.[3] The number of Swedish citizens visiting Malaysia in 2011 was 44,138.[4]

History

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1958.[5]

Bilateral agreements

Malaysia and Sweden have in place a bilateral agreement concerning the mutual protection of investments signed at Kuala Lumpur on 3 March 1979.[6][7] There is an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Government of Malaysia for Air Services between and beyond their respective territories, signed at Kuala Lumpur on 19 October 1967.[8] The countries also have in place a bilateral agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.[9]

Economic relations

Between January and July 2012, bilateral trade stood at RM2 billion, increased from the trade at RM1.9 billion between January and June 2011.[4] In September 2012, Malaysian Ambassador to Sweden, Datuk Badruddin Ab Rahman, said about 120 Swedish companies operate in Malaysia, with an investment of more than RM10 million, however there are no Malaysian companies operating in Sweden.[4] The Malaysian embassy in Sweden makes programmes to attract Swedish businesses to Malaysia such as a briefing on investment opportunities in Malaysia.[4]

In 2006, Swedish exports to Malaysia totalled approximately RM1.6 billion and the imports from Malaysia approximately RM0.7 billion. Swedish exports to Malaysia consist of telecommunication equipment, motor vehicles, chemical products, power generating machinery and equipment, machines, paper, as well as iron ore and steel. Swedish imports from Malaysia electronics and electrical components, machinery and apparatus, textiles, palm oil and raw rubber.[10][11]

Volvo operates a wholly owned subsidiary in Malaysia that manufactures trucks.[12] Until 2016, Swedish investors have recorded 90 manufacturing projects worth US$729.19 million in Malaysia and generated 5,800 jobs at various levels.[13] The overall investments from 1980 until June 2017 are amounted to RM2.6 billion with Swedish investment in Malaysia is expected to hit RM200 million.[14] The nature attractions in Sabah have become the main destinations among Swedish tourists with many islands in the state are frequently visited by visitors from Sweden.[15][16]

State visits

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad made official visits to Sweden in both 1985[17] and 2003.[18]

In 2005, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) Sirajuddin of Perlis of Malaysia and Raja Permaisuri Agong (Queen) Tengku Fauziah of Perlis visited Sweden.[3][19]

Security relations

In 2000, the Swedish Navy agreed to loan four assault boats to Malaysia Government to "beef up security" in waters off Malaysia's state of Sabah.[20]

Issues

Kidnapping of Swedish diplomat by Japanese Red Army in Malaysia

See also: 1975 AIA building hostage crisis

In 1975, members of the Japanese Red Army kidnapped Swedish Chargé d'Affaires Fredrik Bergenstråhle and his secretary Ulla Ödqvist in Kuala Lumpur.[21] One of the Malaysian officials, Tan Sri Osman S. Cassim, was later awarded the insignia of Commander of the Royal Order of the Polar Star by Sweden for his actions during the rescue.[22][23]

Malaysian Stockholm director child custody issue

In 2014, the Stockholm director of the Malaysian tourist board and his wife were held in custody for over a month while their four children allocated to non-Muslim foster parents after the couple were accused of using corporal punishment on their 12-year-old son for refusing to perform his prayers, a practice which is outlawed in Sweden.[24][25] The child was finally returned by Swedish authorities to Malaysia on 31 January 2014.[26]

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References

  1. ^ "Home". Embassy of Sweden Kuala Lumpur. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Official Website of Embassy of Malaysia, Stockholm". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b Gerd Roysland (17 November 2005). "H.E. Helena Sångeland: Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia". Scandasia.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2008. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  4. ^ a b c d "Envoy: Direct flights can boost Malaysia-Sweden trade relations". Bernama. The Borneo Post. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2012.
  5. ^ "National Day Of Sweden Celebrations In Malaysia". Scandasia.com. Archived from the original on 26 September 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
  6. ^ Rudolf Dolzer; Margrete Stevens (15 June 1995). Bilateral Investment Treaties. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. pp. 55–. ISBN 90-411-0065-2.
  7. ^ Loretta Malintoppi; Charis Tan (27 October 2016). Investment Protection in Southeast Asia: A Country-by-Country Guide on Arbitration Laws and Bilateral Investment Treaties. BRILL. pp. 209–. ISBN 978-90-04-33525-7.
  8. ^ "Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Malaysia on certain aspects of air services". European Union Law. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  9. ^ Michael Lang (19 December 2001). Tax Treaty Interpretation. Kluwer Law International. pp. 325–. ISBN 978-90-411-9857-0.
  10. ^ "Trade with Malaysia". Embassy of Sweden Kuala Lumpur. Archived from the original on 20 April 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  11. ^ "Malaysia, Sweden trade on the rise". New Straits Times. 7 September 1995. Retrieved 5 June 2009. [dead link‍]
  12. ^ Zuraimi Abdullah (28 August 2009). "Inclusion of Renault Trucks lifts Volvo Malaysia's prospects". Business Times (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 8 September 2009.
  13. ^ "Swedish firms invest RM2.43 billion in Malaysia so far". Bernama. The Borneo Post. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  14. ^ Ayisy Yusof (6 November 2017). "Sweden's investment in Malaysia to hit RM200m". New Straits Times. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  15. ^ "M'sia's vibrant nature main attraction for Swedish tourists". Daily Express. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  16. ^ Gregers Møller (21 August 2019). "Nature attracts Swedish tourists to Sabah". ScandAsia. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  17. ^ DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD (9 April 1985). "THE DINNER GIVEN BY HIS EXCELLENCY (HE) OLOF PALME, PRIME MINISTER (PM) OF SWEDEN".
  18. ^ "Mahathir leaves for Sweden on three-day working visit". Malaysiakini. 21 September 2003.
  19. ^ "Malaysian Royal Visit". Sveriges Radio. 14 September 2005. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  20. ^ "Cabinet okays loan of Swedish assault boats in Sabah, says Najib". Bernama. e-borneo.com. 23 October 2000. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  21. ^ "Terrorists' Jet Lands in Libya". St. Petersburg Times. 8 August 1975. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  22. ^ "His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden awards Malaysian citizen Tan Sri Osman S. Cassim the Royal Order of the Polar Star". Embassy of Sweden Kuala Lumpur. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011.
  23. ^ Beh Yuen Hui (7 May 2009). "Former sec-gen receives Swedish royal order for his brave feat in 1975". The Star. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
  24. ^ David Landes (23 January 2014). "Malaysians arrested for hitting kids in Sweden". The Local. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  25. ^ "Sweden still has custody over children of Malaysian couple jailed for child abuse". The Star/Asia News Network. AsiaOne. 3 October 2014. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  26. ^ Mohd Faizal Hassan (1 February 2014). "Children of Malaysian couple return from Sweden". Bernama. The Borneo Post. Retrieved 2 February 2014.