Malaysian Prime Minister Visits Russia

On Thursday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made his first official visit to Russia in nearly two decades. He met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, where they shared a light-hearted moment while touring St. Andrews Hall.

Prior to engaging in serious discussions about bilateral relations, energy cooperation, and the MH17 tragedy, Anwar and Putin walked through the grand hall, where Putin pointed out three ornate thrones.

Anwar, somewhat hesitant, referred to the “second wife” joke, which had both delegations laughing. Putin responded by saying, “This is the answer of a true Muslim, a true representative of Islamic culture.” He added that while their traditional values may differ, exchanging information is beneficial for both parties.

Anwar clarified, laughing, “I only have one wife.” He went on to explain that he felt Putin was playfully testing him, joking about his “second wife” being his mother. Putin agreed, noting that the second throne is indeed for the mother.

Historically, the three thrones in St Andrews Hall signify the emperor, empress, and the emperor’s mother. This hall is one of the Kremlin’s primary ceremonial spaces, often used for presidential inaugurations and state receptions.

Despite the light banter, the meeting held significant diplomatic weight. Anwar and Putin discussed enhancing collaboration in energy, trade, and defense, along with interests in technology exchange, renewable energy initiatives, and military training. They also addressed the delicate topic of the 2014 Malaysia Airlines MH17 disaster.

Anwar brought up this issue after a report from the United Nations Aviation Council condemned Russia for the tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of all 298 passengers and crew on board. Moscow has dismissed these findings from the International Civil Aviation Organization as biased and politically motivated. Malaysia continues to adopt a neutral position regarding the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.