18/05/2025

NATIONAL 2 ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2025

PM’s advice to Muslim nations Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on the Islamic world to work together and strengthen its fundamentals, beginning with the economy, especially the halal industry that is worth US$3 trillion (RM12.9 trillion). He said from the Gulf countries to the Middle East, Africa and Asia, Islamic nations should formalise and strengthen cohesion. Anwar said Islamic finance should not be a matter of being “riba”-free, but adopt new innovations so that it offers an alternative and be economically viable for Muslim and non-Muslim countries as well as non-Muslims in Islamic societies. He was speaking to 2,500 participants from more than 100 countries during the plenary session of the 16th International Economic Forum “Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum 2025” on Friday. Anwar also touched on energy transition and digital transformation, and the need for Muslim countries to embrace them, Bernama reported “Because after all, how do we honour, love and follow the deeds of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him? Because of values and character. So the issue before us, for the young and for us, is to make sure that there is a difference. Family values are important.” Australia keen to deepen cooperation KUALA LUMPUR: Australia is committed to strengthening its longstanding relations with Malaysia by deepening cooperation in key areas such as education, defence, clean energy and digital innovation, said Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia Danielle Heinecke. She highlighted that the Australia-Malaysia relations, now marking its 70th year, is anchored by mutual respect, a strong people-to-people connection and robust cooperation in a wide array of sectors. “We were one of the first partners here. “We have built strong ties through education, trade and security. “ Now, our focus is on how we can shape the future together,” she said during an interview on Bernama TV’s The Nation: Diplomatic Dispatch . As Australia prepares for more high-level visits to Malaysia, including one by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during his Asean engagements this year in October, Heinecke said the focus would be on building future-oriented partnerships. – Bernama KAZAN (TATARSTAN):

‘Stronger M’sia-Russia ties not at expense of others’ CARING RULER ... The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah presenting personal aid yesterday to the families of Federal Reserve Unit personnel warded at the Teluk Intan Hospital following a road accident on May 13. – BERNAMAPIC

Organisation (ICAO) during his meeting with Putin. “I happened to be among the first heads of government to meet with President Putin immediately after the report was released. “President Putin’s answer was clear, that firstly, he expressed regret over the tragedy and extended condolences to all affected families, and secondly, Putin said that he remains open to any further investigation if needed and that Russia will cooperate.” Recently, the ICAO concluded that Russia was responsible for the incident in which MH17 was shot down, killing all 298 passengers and crew members on board, including 196 Dutch citizens, 43 Malaysians and 38 Australian citizens in 2014. The decision was announced in separate statements by the Dutch and Australian governments on May 12, describing it as an important step towards justice.

Malaysia’s position is that only sanctions endorsed by multilateral institutions like the United Nations (UN) carry weight in its foreign policy considerations. “If a sanction is imposed by a multilateral agency like the UN, of course, we respect that. But if it is a unilateral action by any individual country, that is difficult for us as an independent country to just honour.” He said payment-related issues were raised by Malaysian businesses operating in Russia, and both governments are working to find solutions, Bernama reported. “There are many areas that are not under sanction, such as education. We are moving forward in those sectors.” Meanwhile, on the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014, Anwar said he had raised the issue of the results of the findings released by the International Civil Aviation

As open trading nation, vital to expand partnerships broadly to protect country’s economic interests, says Anwar

KAZAN (TATARSTAN): Malaysia’s growing ties with Russia should not be seen as a zero-sum game, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said as an open trading nation, it is vital for the country to expand partnerships broadly to protect its economic interests. Anwar stressed that strengthening relations with one country does not mean weakening ties with others, including the United States (US). “It should not be seen as a matter of a zero-sum game. It should be complementary,” Anwar said on Friday at the end of his four-day official visit to Russia, which began on May 13. His visit included meetings

with President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and several industry leaders in Moscow and Kazan. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said Malaysia remains committed to expanding trade partnerships broadly and independently as part of efforts to protect and promote national economic interests. He said Malaysia continues to welcome American investments, and cited recent discussions between Malaysian agencies and US counterparts. “In fact, just last week, AMD (Advanced Micro Devices Inc) was there. There have been serious discussions to expand activities, and we certainly welcome that.” Touching on the sanctions faced by Russia, Anwar said