Name of country: Malaysia

Establishment of diplomatic relations:

• 31 August 1957 (Federal Republic of Germany)
• 4 April 1973 (German Democratic Republic)

System of government: Constitutional elective monarchy and parliamentary democracy

Germany and Malaysia have maintained diplomatic relations since 1957 and enjoy regular political exchange. Alongside economic issues, their cooperation spans foreign and security policy, climate protection and energy, education and collaboration in multilateral forums. The visit by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Berlin in March 2024, the state visit of Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Malaysia in 2023 and regular high-level contacts underscore the two countries’ mutual interest in further intensifying their relations.

The close economic relations constitute a particularly important pillar of bilateral relations. Malaysia is one of Germany’s most important trading partners among the ASEAN states and a key location for German investment. Germany, for its part, is Malaysia’s most important trading partner in the European Union.

The Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was founded in 1991, is the largest bilateral European chamber of commerce. Almost 800 German companies are based in Malaysia, many of which run their own production plants, from which they supply the local market and export their goods worldwide. Malaysia is also acquiring increasing significance for German companies as a regional hub for Southeast Asia and beyond.

One priority of cultural and academic cooperation is in the area of higher education. Numerous cooperation agreements exist between German and Malaysian universities and universities of applied sciences, including study programmes with dual qualifications from universities in both countries. The Goethe-Institut has had a branch in Malaysia since 1962. The German School in Kuala Lumpur was founded in 1979.

German political foundations are also active in Malaysia, providing scholarships and working together with local partners. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has its own office in Kuala Lumpur.