Malaysian PM says that joining BRICS will enable the country to more effectively amplify its voice on the international stage.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan says that Malaysia’s influence will be significantly enhanced if it becomes a member of BRICS.
“We are currently analysing, monitoring, and assessing our readiness to become a member of BRICS. Our participation in this bloc must benefit the country and not merely serve as a point of pride. Therefore, we are examining and analysing its significance. We undertake any initiative only if it serves the national interest. By becoming a member of BRICS, we can ensure that Malaysia’s intentions are heard on the global stage,” says Hasan.
According to Hasan, the recent visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to Malaysia was aimed at strengthening and enhancing bilateral trade.
“China is the second largest economy in the world and is close to our region. It is also our largest trading partner, so there are many issues that we can negotiate and further enhance for the benefit of both countries. Our close relationship needs to be strengthened. At the same time, there are issues that need to be resolved and negotiated together, such as the south China sea dispute. This good relationship allows us to manage any problems effectively,” says Mohamad.
According to news-site Bernama, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed his wish to join BRICS in a conversation with the President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Malaysia’s push to join BRICS follows the footsteps of Saudi Arabia along with the UAE, Egypt, Iran and Ethiopia, all of whom joined BRICS in January 2024, doubling its membership to ten, with Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa as the founding members.
As a newly-minted member at the recent BRICS Foreign Minister’s Meeting held in Nizhny Novorod, Russia, UAE’s HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, says that participation in the bloc stems from the UAE’s belief that coordinated global efforts and multilateral cooperation have become more crucial than ever to overcome current challenges and achieve a more prosperous future for all.
“It is also a great privilege to represent the UAE, for the first time in BRICS. I hope that the UAE’s membership will mark an important milestone in the group’s journey and serve as an additional incentive to further solidify bilateral relations among member states. Today, we work hand in hand with our partners in BRICS to achieve prosperity and enhance our joint contribution to addressing unprecedented global challenges in various fields,” says HH.
He further reiterated that the UAE’s Foreign Policy is premised on the unequivocal commitment to international law and core principles, such as respecting state sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, promoting dialogue, and resolving crises through political and diplomatic means.
“Based on these very principles, the UAE reiterates its call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, alongside the rapid and unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, as well as the release of all hostages and detainees. We are also supportive of responsible collective efforts to pursue needed reforms at the international level and to enhance the representation of developing and less developed countries in multilateral institutions. We are confident that expediting collective action towards these objectives is a basic requirement for mobilising the necessary support to face the most prominent global challenges, including climate change, delays in achieving sustainable development goals, and the rising levels of debt and poverty among less developed countries…To that end, I would like to re-affirm the UAE’s support and readiness to cooperate with BRICS member states and to work jointly to enhance the group’s role and contributions at all levels and across various fields,” says HH.
