PM Anwar Ibrahim: Malaysia prepares to join BRICS

MALAYSIA: Malaysia is preparing to join the BRICS group of emerging economies, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed in an interview with Chinese media outlet Guancha.

“We have made the appropriate decision. We will launch the formal process shortly,” PM Anwar announced, indicating the start of a significant geopolitical shift for Malaysia.

PM Anwar further elaborated on Malaysia’s commitment to the Global South and the strategic importance of its potential membership in BRICS, given the Straits of Malacca’s critical role as a shipping lane connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

He expressed relief that the world is no longer unipolar, highlighting BRICS as a beacon of hope providing checks and balances in global affairs.

“We can no longer accept the scenario where the West wants to control the discourse because the fact is they are not colonial powers anymore, and independent countries should be free to express themselves,” PM Anwar stated.

The Prime Minister has communicated Malaysia’s intentions to Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and reiterated that Malaysia is now awaiting the final decision and feedback from the South African government.

“We are now awaiting the final decision and feedback from the government of South Africa,” PM Anwar said.

His remarks come ahead of a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.

Malaysia’s move to join BRICS comes as other Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, have also expressed interest in the trade alliance.

Vietnam has stated it is “closely monitoring the process of BRICS membership expansion.”

Following the BRICS summit in August last year, Indonesian President Joko Widodo mentioned that his administration was “reviewing and considering the country’s possibility of joining” the group.

Last month, the Thai Cabinet approved a draft letter indicating Bangkok’s intention to become a BRICS member, according to the South China Morning Post.

BRICS, originally founded as BRIC with Brazil, Russia, India, and China as its members, held its first summit in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.

It became BRICS when South Africa joined in 2010.

This organization is considered a counterpart to the advanced world economies grouped under the G7, including the United States, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and Germany.

Recently, the group welcomed new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates during its 2023 summit, with their membership taking effect on 1 January 2024.

Initially set up to highlight investment opportunities, BRICS has evolved into a geopolitical bloc with annual summits.

To date, 15 summits have been held, with Russia scheduled to host the next one in Kazan in October.