KERALAM, INDIA: Malaysia stresses that its participation in the 18th BRICS Leaders' Summit is not aimed at opposing any bloc but rather at advocating a fairer international system and rules.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia would continue to maintain good relations with the United States, European Union (EU), Australia and other international partners, while voicing the need to reform the existing international system.
"BRICS or Asean is not meant to oppose other groups, which is why our cooperation with the EU, the United States and Australia continues and is not hindered.
"We are only setting fair rules. When we talk about the United Nations, we are not talking about the system; the system agreed upon in 1945 is outdated, unfair and undemocratic," he said at a media conference in Calicut here with Malaysian media before concluding his working visit to India on Monday (Sept 14).
Anwar also stressed that Malaysia must maintain good bilateral relations with the United States but this should not prevent the country from expressing views that it considers important for Malaysia, the region and the world.
He also said the international system, including the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, also needed to be reviewed as some aspects no longer reflected current needs and realities.
He said Malaysia also supported efforts to reduce reliance on the US dollar in trade, including through the use of local currencies for transactions between countries.
Anwar said there is currently a moratorium on full BRICS membership but Malaysia's status as a partner country allowed it to participate in almost all activities and working mechanisms of the grouping.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia had received support to become a BRICS partner country and would continue to leverage the opportunities available to strengthen economic and trade cooperation.
"There is a moratorium in terms of full membership. In fact, they were kind enough to accept Malaysia as a partner country early enough.
"However, as I see it, in terms of the working mechanism within BRICS, it does not seem to restrict us from participating in almost all activities and we have done so," he said.
Malaysia participated in the summit in its capacity as a BRICS partner country, a status it has held since Jan 1, 2025.
Anwar arrived in New Delhi on Friday to attend the BRICS Leaders' Summit hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and delivered the National Statement on Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth. – Bernama
