PM ABDULLAH GOES TO IRAN, ANNOUNCES GO-AHEAD FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 001127 SIPDIS FOR EAP, NEA, AND INR E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/30/2018 TAGS: PREL PARM EFIN ECON ETRD ENRG ETTC MUNC KNNP IR, MY SUBJECT: PM ABDULLAH GOES TO IRAN, ANNOUNCES GO-AHEAD FOR IRANIAN BANK IN MALAYSIA REF: A. A. KUALA LUMPUR 1105 -- AMB MEETS MFA PRIOR TO IRAN VISIT ¶B. B. KUALA LUMPUR 1045 -- PM TO VISIT IRAN Classified By: Political Counselor Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 b and d. Summary and Comment -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi conducted a four-day visit to Iran December 21-24. The public reporting of the visit exclusively highlighted and at times exaggerated Malaysia-Iran trade and economic partnerships. The PM and his entourage, which included a number of cabinet ministers, MPs, and trade officials, met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad and Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki and other senior officials. Noticeably absent from any official statements or media reports were discussions regarding controversial topics, such as Iran's ongoing nuclear program. The Malaysian and Iranian leaders trumpeted increasing bilateral trade and investment, along with expanding tourism and growth in the Iranian student population in Malaysia. The leaders announced several Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and the go-ahead for Iran's Bank Mellat to operate in Labuan, Malaysia's offshore financial center. ¶2. (C) Comment: Abdullah's visit to Teheran appeared to be the latest installment in the outgoing Prime Minister's efforts to bolster Malaysia's trade and investment ties with Muslim-majority nations, including Iran. The Malaysian delegation kept the public focus on commercial gain and largely avoided wading into controversial issues. The apparent approval for Bank Mellat to open in Labuan stands out as the most significant development stemming from Abdullah's visit. Prior to the trip, the Ambassador had urged senior Foreign Ministry officials to use the visit to convey to Iran the international community's expectations regarding its nuclear development program, but we have no indication yet whether Abdullah addressed this subject or in what manner. Our MFA contacts did not have any additional information from this visit, as the delegation members were unavailable due to the holidays. We will seek further information on PM Abdullah's visit to Iran in future meetings. End Summary and Comment. Promoting Trade and Tourism -------------- ¶3. (U) PM Abdullah originally committed to visiting Teheran during the Iran-Malaysia Economic Commission held in November in Malaysia. Foreign Minister Rais Yatim, speaking to the press prior to departure, said that the primary objective of the December 21-24 visit was to strengthen bilateral ties and explore joint venture opportunities between the corporate sectors in the two countries. "Sanctions imposed on (Iran) by the UNSC coupled with the political developments in the U.S. make it necessary for Malaysia to see from near what businesses can be explored without causing any misunderstanding," he added. ¶4. (U) Upon arriving in Tehran, Prime Minister Abdullah noted in his official statement the increase in trade volume between Iran and Malaysia. He said that Iran was Malaysia,s third largest trading partner in Middle East, with bilateral trade in 2007 amounting to USD 1.042 billion, up (modestly) from USD 1.022 billion in 2006. (Note: According to Malaysian trade statistics, Iran is the 33rd largest export destination for Malaysia, with exports of USD 1.23 B, or 0.29 percent of total Malaysian exports. Iran is the 27th largest import source for Malaysia, with imports of USD 1.75 Billion, or 0.49 percent of total Malaysian imports. Exports to Iran consist mostly of palm oil, rubber, cars, consumer electronics, and other manufactured goods. Imports from Iran are mostly crude oil. End Note.) KUALA LUMP 00001127 002 OF 003 ¶5. (SBU) Abdullah also pointed out the significant increase in the number of tourist arrivals from Iran to Malaysia. He said that in 2007, a total of 27,215 Iranians visited Malaysia compared to 9,419 in 2002. (NOTE: An estimated 21 million tourists arrived in Malaysia in 2007, thus Iranians constitute approx 0.12 percent of all arrivals.) He also said that Malaysia would streamline the visa application for Iranian applicants, as Malaysia has done for other countries. (Note: Iranians can visit Malaysia visa free for up to 14 days for tourism and social visits, and can obtain business visas for up to 14 days upon arrival. End Note.) "Malaysia and Iran Share Common Views" -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Abdullah and the Malaysian delegation avoided statements on controversial issues, spoke only vaguely on political/security matters, and did not touch on Iran's nuclear program in any public comments. Abdullah also did not distance Malaysia from any of Iran's positions. Sticking to generalities, Abdullah used his joint press conference with Ahmedinejad to state, "Malaysia and Iran share common views on many international issues affecting the peace and security of the world. We have pledged to work closely together especially in multilateral forums such as the United Nations for global stability, progress and prosperity." Three MOUs -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Abdullah's visit to Iran featured the signing of three MOUs covering, respectively, establishment by Malaysia's national car maker Proton of a vehicle assembly plant in Iran, counter-narcotics efforts, and cooperation in science and technology. The Proton agreement appeared to be the most tangible of the three MOUs. Iran already imports Protons for use as taxis in Tehran. In the area of science and technology cooperation, Abdullah mentioned the "sharing of experience and expertise" between the Malaysian Multimedia and Development Corporation and the Masshad and Khorsan Provincial Governments in Iran to build information technology parks. ¶8. (SBU) In addition to the MOUs, the PM also noted Malaysian investments in Iran's construction sector, specifically in housing and road construction, and in Iran's oil and gas sector. Prime Minister Abdullah stated that Petronas, the national oil/gas company and the leading Malaysian investor in Iran, "would continue to consolidate its operations in Iran." Abdullah also noted the activities of SKS ventures in the oil/gas sector. (Note: SKS Ventures, a private company owned by Malaysian tycoon Syed Mokhtar, signed an MOU in 2007 to develop Iran's Gulshan and Ferdoz gas fields, but little information has surfaced since then. Following press reports of the SKS deal, Embassy requests from 2007 to meet with representatives of SKS Ventures went unacknowledged. End Note.) PM Abdullah's visit did not produce more information on proposals to build Iranian refineries in Malaysia, which have made no visible progress. Bank Mellat Conditionally Approved for Offshore Center -------------- -------------- ¶9. (U) In his opening address after arriving in Teheran, PM Abdullah stated, "I am aware of the interest of the Mellat Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran to open its offshore branch in Labuan, Malaysia's international offshore financial sector (sic). When this project becomes reality, it will be another milestone in the area of financial cooperation between our two countries." Subsequently, at a joint press conference with Ahmedinejad on December 23, PM Abdullah was more definite and stated, "An Iranian bank will be opening an offshore branch in Labuan...." KUALA LUMP 00001127 003 OF 003 ¶10. (SBU) A contact at the Malaysian central bank told econoff on December 30 that Bank Mellat had not applied for a license to operate in Malaysia proper, but had submitted its application to the Labuan Offshore Financial Services Authority (LOFSA) to open an offshore branch in July and had recently been granted "conditional approval." He was unable to identify the "conditions" involved, or to speculate as to a time frame before Bank Mellat would open its doors in Labuan. While the central bank has the authority to grant or deny licenses for Malaysia proper, offshore companies are under the supervision and regulation of LOFSA directly. In line with previous demarches, Post has conveyed concerns over the opening of Iranian bank offices to both the central bank and to LOFSA, and we continue to press LOFSA for further details. Background on Labuan's Offshore Banking Center -------------- - ¶11. (U) The Labuan International Business and Financial Center (IBFC) is a jurisdiction "that offers a liberal operating environment and low rates of tax as well as ensures confidentiality of investors' information," according to the LOFSA website, www.lofsa.gov.my. A total of 58 banks, nine of which are investment banks, maintain offices in Labuan. Having an offshore license in Labuan does not authorize a company to do business elsewhere in Malaysia or to conduct transactions in Malaysian Ringgit, but an offshore bank licensed in Labuan is permitted to open a "marketing office" in Kuala Lumpur. ¶12. (U) Offshore businesses are governed by a separate set of offshore legislation, including the Offshore Banking Act of 1990 (available at www.lofsa.gov.my). Offshore financial service providers are also subject to the same anti-money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation in place throughout Malaysia, and are required to report suspicious transactions to Malaysia's Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU),seated in the central bank. ¶13. (U) The Labuan IBFC was established to bring international players to Malaysia, and typically serves businesses operating in the region. Malaysia continues to strive to become a global hub for Islamic Finance, a goal highlighted on LOFSA,s website as well. KEITH