Anwar may be pivoting M'sia to Russia as he accepts Putin's invitation to BRICS summit
Anwar said it was "clear testament to the importance Russia places on Malaysia."
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has accepted an invitation from Russia to participate in the October 2024 BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. The invitation was extended by Russian President Vladimir Putin during a working dinner on 4 September 2023. Anwar's acceptance marks a significant step towards Malaysia's goal of joining the BRICS grouping, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Anwar also used the occasion to advocate for peaceful resolutions to global conflicts, including the situation in Ukraine and Gaza.
Background
Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Russia was part of his attendance at the Eastern Economic Forum, where he held bilateral meetings with President Putin. The invitation to the BRICS summit was described by Anwar as a testament to the importance Russia places on Malaysia. Malaysia formally applied to join BRICS in June 2024, signalling a potential pivot in its foreign policy away from a Western-oriented approach. However, experts suggest that Malaysia's fundamental policy of non-alignment remains unchanged, focusing on pragmatic economic interests.
Bilateral cum working dinner session
During the working dinner, Anwar expressed his pleasure in accepting Putin's personal invitation for Malaysia to participate in the BRICS summit scheduled for 22-24 October 2024. He highlighted the significance of this invitation as a step towards Malaysia's ultimate goal of joining BRICS. Anwar also reiterated his stance on global conflicts, urging Russia to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and calling for international pressure to end Israel's actions in Gaza.
A pivot turns, but does not move
BRICS, initially a term for emerging markets, has evolved into a geopolitical grouping. It has expanded to include countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Malaysia's application to join BRICS appears to be a strategic move away from the United States' influence. Anwar has criticised the West's control over global discourse, advocating for the freedom of independent countries to express themselves. Despite this, academic observers argue that Malaysia's foreign policy remains non-aligned, aiming to work with various powers to further national interests.
Pragmatic and domestic concerns
Domestic pressures within Malaysia are also influencing its leadership's decisions. The Fulcrum article suggests that the BRICS membership bid is partly a response to the population's concerns about U.S. leadership. Malaysia continues to engage in Western-led initiatives like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), maintaining military ties with the U.S. This indicates that Malaysia's BRICS bid is not solely a pivot away from the U.S. but also a signal of concern about the U.S.'s commitment to the region.
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Malaysia is not alone in its interest in BRICS; Thailand has also indicated its intention to join. However, Malaysia needs significant quality investment, and while BRICS membership could bring benefits, it is unlikely to replace investment from the U.S. and other Western countries in the near term. Anwar's acceptance of the BRICS summit invitation and his ongoing diplomatic engagements reflect Malaysia's strategic balancing act in its foreign policy.
