KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is increasingly seen as a strategic link between BRICS countries and Asean, strengthening its position as a trusted economic partner amid growing geopolitical tensions, says Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni (pic) .
The Deputy Foreign Minister said Malaysia's participation as a BRICS partner country has already yielded tangible benefits, particularly through engagements between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and leaders of the bloc's member countries.
"Malaysia is also seen as a country that can provide better connectivity to Asean.
"We provide a stable and more progressive economic framework, and this has helped build confidence among other countries," he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Oct 29).
Lukanisman said Malaysia's decision to seek BRICS membership was a strategic move, although the country currently faces a moratorium on full membership.
"Although we are currently facing a moratorium on joining BRICS, Malaysia's participation as a strategic partner has already made an impact through the Prime Minister's meetings with leaders of major BRICS member countries," he said.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang), who asked whether Malaysia faced conflicting economic interests by participating in both Apec, which includes the United States, and BRICS, whose members include Russia and China.
Lukanisman said Malaysia's participation in both groupings reflected its efforts to diversify economic cooperation rather than remain dependent on traditional economic arrangements.
"We are not merely seeking to remain within a single traditional platform or economic structure, but are working to diversify our economic approaches in line with the Madani Economy framework.
"In terms of geopolitical tensions, differences in national interests and trade restrictions, we are managing these matters as best as possible," he said.
On Apec, Lukanisman said Malaysia had made meaningful contributions through its participation in the grouping, earning recognition from other countries.
He stressed that the value of Malaysia's involvement in international economic platforms should be assessed based on the benefits they bring to the country.
"The success of Malaysia's participation in BRICS should not be measured by who joins, but by the important benefits we can obtain from our involvement in BRICS and Apec," he said.
