Why Penny Wong’s visit to Malaysia is important

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From Jan Drew

The visit to Malaysia tomorrow by Australia’s new foreign minister, Penny Wong, provides a unique opportunity to shine a spotlight on Malaysia and increase the country’s visibility.

Few would be aware of the importance of Malaysia as Australia’s eighth largest trading partner, with two-way trade value amounting to RM76.3 billion (A$25 billion). Malaysia is Australia’s second largest market in Asean.

Aside from Singapore, Australia is home to the largest number of Malaysians abroad with approximately 180,000 immigrant Malaysians. The UK hosts almost half that number. About 50,000 Malaysians are undertaking some form of education and training in Australia, making Malaysia the fifth top source country for education exports.

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Australia, Asean future interlinked, says Penny Wong

PUTRAJAYA: Southeast Asia will remain an important region to Australia, says the country’s foreign minister Penny Wong, who also emphasised the new Australian government’s commitment to Asean centrality.

Wong, who is currently on a three-day official visit to Malaysia, said on Tuesday that Australia’s future is interlinked with both Asean and Southeast Asia’s future.

“We share the same future because we share the same region, and that is how we will approach relationships and many of the challenges we face,” she said.

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