I VIVIDLY remember my maiden trip to Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2004. Arriving as a Member of our Parliament’s Lower House and coming from the tropical heat of Malaysia, I was utterly shocked to find myself braving a bone-chilling -25°C in a blisteringly cold December, a far cry from the warmth and humidity I was accustomed to.
Beyond the harshest winter rigours I have ever experienced in my life, my initial visit to the Central Asian nation coincided with a pivotal time in the country’s history. President Islam Karimov, who led Uzbekistan since its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, was at the helm, overseeing a nation that was coming to terms with its sovereignty. Being invited as an international parliamentary election observer representing Malaysia, I was able to experience firsthand the complexities of a nation that, while largely stable, was also marked by a pervasive sense of control, both political and social.
Two decades later and minus the stocky winter parkas, I was able to revisit the country again last year in June. Only this time, I saw something very different. It was no longer the Uzbekistan I remembered.
I was pleasantly surprised seeing how much things have changed. Tashkent, the capital city, has become increasingly vibrant and welcoming for expatriates seeking both professional growth and cultural immersion. It now has a dynamic blend of modern infrastructure, rich cultural heritage and growing opportunities for business and commerce. The progressive transition of Tashkent serves as a compelling reflection of the broader reforms and vibrant changes unfolding across Uzbekistan, signaling a nationwide shift towards further modernization and growth.
Uzbekistan’s transformation that has taken place under the stewardship of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who assumed the presidency since 2016 following Mr. Karimov’s demise offers a fascinating vision - that of a nation emerging from the shadows of totalitarianism into an era of reform, inclusiveness and opportunity.
President Mirziyoyev arrives Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia this week for an official visit and to reciprocate the visit made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Uzbekistan in May last year. With various meetings and programmes arranged, the visit is set to underscore Uzbekistan’s commitment to strengthening its ties with Malaysia and also Southeast Asia, an increasingly important region in global trade and politics. The visit is expected to lead to agreements on cooperative governance and enhanced diplomatic engagement, both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks, fostering stability and cooperation not just between the two countries but also across the regions of Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
The present bilateral political and trade relationship between Malaysia and Uzbekistan stands as a fine example of diplomatic collaboration, characterized by a shared commitment to mutual interests, strategic engagement and a deepening partnership in various sectors. While trade and economic relations with Uzbekistan have shown promising progress, there is ample potential to further strengthen these ties as Uzbekistan continues to seek out more foreign direct investments from Malaysia to support its growing economy across the country, such as discussions to develop a solar photovoltaic power plant by Malaysia’s Sunview Group in Fergana, a region that I was able to visit.
During my travels to the ancient Islamic cities of Samarkand and Bukhara, I learned that tourism offers the most promising value for growth vis-a-vis economic and people-to-people relations. During my deliberations with the leadership and senior government officials of Uzbekistan, including the respective Governors of both regions, I have continuously mooted for an increase in "religious tourism"; essentially for Malaysian Muslim pilgrims to visit the ancient cities in Uzbekistan and connect with history and civilisation while en route to performing their pilgrimage in Mecca.
Aside from the journey to reacquaint myself with the country, the purpose of my trip to Uzbekistan last year was primarily to introduce myself as the Deputy President of our Parliament’s Senate. Through that visit, I was able to build and foster close and lasting friendships with the respective leaderships of their legislative institutions, namely Mrs. Tanzila Narbayeva, Chairperson of the Uzbekistan Senate and Dr Nuriddin Ismoilov, Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan. Through my relationships with both of them, which I would describe as among the best since I was elected as a Member of Parliament in 2004, I witnessed a parliament that was eager to not just modernize but also "globalise" via its unique outreach, international leadership and parliamentary diplomacy initiatives.
Taking this into account, I believe the relationship now merits an "upgrade", and more timely given Malaysia’s leading role in Asean this year, particularly the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly or AIPA.
Asean, through its emphasis on multilateralism, stability and economic integration, provides a model that aligns with Uzbekistan’s own ambition for regional cooperation and economic growth. Through AIPA, Uzbekistan could further enhance its diplomatic ties with Asean countries and their respective parliaments, contributing to an increasingly integrated Asia-Pacific region. This kind of engagement would allow Uzbekistan to participate in dialogue that promotes trade, peace and prosperity across both regions, benefiting from the shared wisdom and collaborative frameworks AIPA offers.
While Uzbekistan continues to modernise and embrace new opportunities for international collaboration, bringing it closer to Asean and its parliaments would mark an important step in fostering deeper ties between Southeast Asia and Central Asia. By bridging the heart of Central Asia with the dynamism of Southeast Asia, Uzbekistan’s closer ties with Asean could unlock a new era of regional cooperation, innovation, and shared prosperity.
As President Mirziyoyev visits Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia as Asean’s Chair, it is an opportune moment to consider an expanded regional dialogue that includes Uzbekistan, leveraging its strategic position and growing potential to contribute to Asean's collective vision for peace, prosperity, and progress.
Nur Jazlan Mohamed is the Deputy President of the Senate, Parliament of Malaysia. The views and opinions expressed are his own.
