The Malaysian government recently expressed its interest in joining the BRICS group of countries, a move that could have a significant impact on the international stage. In a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim formally declared Malaysia’s candidacy for membership in the group.
This move underscores Malaysia’s strong commitment to strengthening international collaboration and actively participating in global economic exchanges. Anwar Ibrahim stressed the importance of this potential membership to enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly in key areas such as investment, trade, science and technology, agriculture, defense, education, tourism and culture.
Russia, which currently chairs the BRICS group, welcomed Malaysia’s application and pledged to support its entry into the group. This openness to new members reflects the BRICS group’s desire to encourage diversity and deepen relations with other countries.
The recent expansion of the BRICS group to include countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates underscores its desire to strengthen its global representation and influence. With a combined population of nearly 3.5 billion, or 45% of the world’s population, the BRICS member countries represent a significant share of the global economy, with combined revenues exceeding $28.5 trillion, or about 28% of the global economy.
Malaysia’s potential membership in the BRICS group promises to further strengthen economic and political ties between Malaysia and these emerging powers, while opening up new opportunities for cooperation and growth for the country. This move marks a new chapter in Malaysia’s commitment to playing an active role on the international stage and contributing to global prosperity and stability.