Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has recently shifted his stance towards Russia, praising President Vladimir Putin and labeling Russia as a 'key partner' during his visit to the Eastern Economic Forum on September 5, 2024. This marks a notable departure from his previous condemnation of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Anwar's visit was significant as he became the sixth Southeast Asian leader to meet with Putin since the onset of the conflict [d2bba608].
Anwar's newfound approach appears to be influenced by Malaysia's application for BRICS membership, an organization chaired by Russia. His reluctance to criticize Russia may stem from a desire to strengthen ties with BRICS, which he views as essential for Malaysia's economic interests. During his address, Anwar also criticized the West for what he termed 'double standards' regarding Israel's actions in Gaza, while seemingly overlooking Russian aggression in Ukraine [d2bba608].
On October 15, 2024, Anwar announced that several ASEAN countries are also interested in joining BRICS, emphasizing the need for ASEAN to avoid becoming a battleground for major power struggles, particularly between the U.S. and China. He highlighted the importance of economic fundamentals and maintaining regional stability as ASEAN aims to enhance trade agreements and digital networks among member nations [5052f5d6].
In a significant development, Malaysia has been recognized as a BRICS partner country, which is expected to enhance its rubber exports to Russia. This recognition allows for direct payments in Malaysian ringgit, which streamlines the export process that previously relied on routing through China. Datuk Seri Mohamad Suparadi Md Noor stated that this partnership will significantly boost Malaysia's rubber export potential [f5a078b4].
The Malaysian government is actively pursuing BRICS membership as a strategic move to enhance its economic position and diversify its international partnerships. Anwar's attendance at the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October 2024, is seen as a significant step towards fulfilling this ambition [f719a3eb].
Intra-regional trade within ASEAN exceeded US$3.5 billion in 2023, with the region's economy growing to US$3 trillion. Malaysia is set to host the ASEANGCC+China Summit in 2025, which will further emphasize its role as ASEAN chair [5052f5d6].
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is also advocating for BRICS membership to boost the country's economy and restore its international standing. Both nations see BRICS as a platform for greater economic cooperation and investment opportunities, which are crucial for their growth [f719a3eb].
U.S. Ambassador Edgard D. Kagan has stated that the United States does not perceive BRICS as a geopolitical rival but rather as a complement to U.S. soft power. He acknowledged Malaysia's interest in BRICS membership and emphasized 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].