Historic moment: Anwar holding a bilateral meeting with President Ramaphosa (third from left) at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. — Bernama
JOHANNESBURG: Malaysia is seeking support from her friends, including South Africa, to rally behind her candidacy as the country eyes a place in several international bodies and in the United Nations’ Councils.
This was related by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during his meeting with President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Malaysia is committed to build stronger relations based on solidarity, confidence and a development agenda that is mutually beneficial for the people of Malaysia and South Africa,” he said after the meeting, held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
Anwar said Malaysia is aiming for a place in the UN Security Council, UN Human Rights Council as well as UN Economic and Social Council.
Malaysia is also seeking a place in the International Maritime Organisation and the International Telecommunications Union.
Anwar said he and Ramaphosa also reviewed developments in Malaysia-South Africa bilateral relations following the South African President’s visit to Putrajaya in October.
“Malaysia is ready to finalise and sign several important documents, including memoranda of understanding in the areas of economy and industry, halal cooperation, agriculture, green technology and research,” he said. Other fields of interest include cooperation in education as well as TVET.
Anwar said Malaysia has also offered places and incentives in MY Integrated Circuit Design Park to countries from Africa to participate in Malaysia’s semiconductor value chain.
Anwar also congratulated South Africa for hosting the G20 Summit, the first African country to do so.
He said G20’s theme of “solidarity , equality, sustainability” is in line with the theme of the recently-concluded Malaysia’s chairmanship for Asean in 2025, where focus was given to resilience in facing catastrophe and energy transition that is fair and sustainable.
The Prime Minister also had a brief encounter with China’s Premier Li Qiang who is also in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit.
“I exchanged a joke with Premier Li. I told him ‘you are very hard to miss’,” he said.
Anwar, who is on a four-day working visit to South Africa also held an engagement with South African Muslim leaders and met with representatives from several religious orgnisations and bodies, including Al Jama-ah Party, National Independent Halaal Trust, Jamiatul Ulama South Africa and Muslim Youth Movement.
In his session with them, the Prime Minister stated that Malaysia is ready to strengthen cooperation in the halal area with any African nation.
This includes developing their halal certification and capacity development that can add value to local Muslim communities.
“This is in line with Malaysia’s commitment to boost Islam’s dignity as a religion that upholds prosperity, tolerance and compassion.
“I also stressed on the importance of education, dialogue among civilisations as well as the need to have strong relations among the Muslim communities in South Africa,” he said.
