In a significant geopolitical shift, Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has recently embraced a more favorable stance towards Russia, calling President Vladimir Putin a 'key partner' during his attendance at the Eastern Economic Forum on September 5, 2024. This marks a stark contrast to his earlier condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Anwar's visit is particularly noteworthy as he became the sixth Southeast Asian leader to meet with Putin since the conflict began [d2bba608].
Anwar's pivot towards Russia is closely tied to Malaysia's application for BRICS membership, an organization currently chaired by Russia. His reluctance to criticize Russia may be driven by the desire to strengthen ties with BRICS, which he sees as vital for Malaysia's economic interests. During his address, he also criticized Western nations for what he described as 'double standards' regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, while seemingly downplaying Russian aggression in Ukraine [d2bba608].
On October 15, 2024, Anwar announced that several ASEAN countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, are also interested in joining BRICS. He emphasized the importance of ASEAN avoiding becoming a battleground for major powers, particularly the U.S. and China. This sentiment reflects a broader regional strategy to enhance economic cooperation and stability among member nations [5052f5d6].
In a notable development, Malaysia, along with Thailand and Indonesia, has been recognized as a BRICS partner country, which is expected to significantly boost its rubber exports to Russia. This partnership allows for direct payments in Malaysian ringgit, streamlining the export process that previously relied on routing through China. Datuk Seri Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor highlighted that this collaboration will enhance Malaysia's rubber export potential [f5a078b4].
The Malaysian government is actively pursuing full BRICS membership as part of a strategic move to bolster its economic position and diversify its international partnerships. Anwar's participation in the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, is seen as a pivotal step toward achieving this goal [f719a3eb].
The BRICS bloc, originally established in 2009 and expanded in 2023 to include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, now accounts for 28% of the global economy, totaling over US$28.5 trillion. This economic weight makes BRICS an attractive platform for Southeast Asian countries seeking to hedge between U.S. and Chinese influence [5412ef46].
The BRICS Grain Exchange, launched in October 2024, offers market diversification for palm oil and rice exports, further incentivizing Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia's ambitions for full membership. While Vietnam adopts a more cautious approach to avoid confrontation with the U.S., Malaysia's participation aligns with Anwar's foreign policy goals, and Indonesia seeks to establish itself as a global middle power under President Prabowo Subianto [5412ef46].
U.S. Ambassador Edgard D. Kagan has remarked that the United States does not view BRICS as a geopolitical rival but rather as a complement to U.S. soft power. He acknowledged Malaysia's interest in BRICS membership while emphasizing that the U.S. remains the largest trading partner for three of the original BRICS members [2fe6488e].
As Malaysia navigates its diplomatic relations with Russia and its aspirations for BRICS membership, the internal political dynamics and the need for stability will play a crucial role in shaping its international engagements [94621fb6] [3ac523e8].