07/07/2025

MONDAY | JULY 7, 2025

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Anwar urges BRICS to boost intra-group trade o Calls for fairer international order and highlights Malaysia’s shared vision as Asean chair

Malaysia during the Asean Summit in October. “He wants to bring key ministers and business groups to Malaysia. There will be a special conference where both of us will jointly address the event,” he said. Malaysia participated in the BRICS Leaders’ Summit as a partner country and as Asean chair for 2025, and officially became a BRICS partner country on Jan 1. Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Brazil grew by 14.6% to RM20.35 billion in 2024, up from RM17.43 billion in 2023, making Brazil one of Malaysia’s main trading partners in Latin America. – Bernama PM to meet Modi on sidelines of summit RIO DE JANEIRO: The prime minister is set to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from India and Ethiopia on the sidelines of the BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (Monday in Malaysia). Anwar, who arrived in Brazil on Saturday, will first meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Museum of Modern Art after delivering his national statement at the summit. The two leaders last met during the 21st Asean India Summit in Laos in October last year. Following that, Anwar will meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz will accompany Anwar at both meetings. His schedule will also include a meeting with Embraer President and CEO Francisco Gomes Neto. Headquartered in Brazil, Embraer is a leading aircraft manufacturer and recently took part in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition in May. Additionally, Anwar will receive a courtesy call from New Development Bank president Dilma Rousseff. – Bernama He said a three-phase operation between April and June led to the arrest of 36 members, including the group’s leader, effectively dismantling its Johor-based network. – Bernama Bangladesh pledges full cooperation in terror probe KUALA LUMPUR: Bangladesh has pledged full cooperation with Malaysian authorities following the arrest of 36 Bangladeshi nationals in a recent security operation targeting members of the Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group. In a statement on Saturday, the Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur had promptly engaged with Malaysian authorities and formally requested the identities of the arrested individuals as well as details of the allegations against them. According to the ministry, five of the individuals have been formally charged in Malaysian courts, while the rest are undergoing further investigation or deportation processes. “The Bangladesh government is closely monitoring developments. The high commission in Kuala Lumpur is maintaining close communication with the relevant Malaysian authorities and will provide necessary support to the Bangladeshi expatriates wherever needed,” it said. The ministry also reiterated Bangladesh’s firm stance against terrorism, violent extremism and militancy, reaffirming its full commitment to cooperate with Malaysia on this matter. Last week, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said police initially detected the group’s activities through social media accounts operated by Bangladeshi nationals using Malaysian IP addresses to spread Islamic State ideology.

members must continue strengthening strategic cooperation, including enhancing cross-regional trade and investment for the shared benefit of developing countries. BRICS 2025 is not merely a continuation of past efforts but a moment of renewed awakening. “With visionary political leadership, a progressive private sector and a strengthening Global South solidarity, we have a real opportunity to reshape the global landscape,” he said. Anwar also voiced support for Lula, commending him as one of the few courageous global leaders today who speaks on behalf of those left unheard. The BRICS group, originally established by Brazil, Russia, India and China, expanded to include South Africa in 2011, followed by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in 2023 and Indonesia in 2024. Malaysia, as well as Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda and Uzbekistan, have been accepted as BRICS partner countries. Anwar arrived in Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit at Lula’s invitation. He was accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul TengkuAbdul Aziz, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Miri MP Chiew Choon Man and Paya Besar MP Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah.

International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, towards a more democratic and just multilateral order,” he said at the BRICS business forum titled “Bridging Continents, Building Future: A Shared Agenda for Sustainable Progress” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday. Also present were Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin and Brazilian Confederation of National Industry president Ricardo Alban, Bernama reported. Anwar firmly asserted that developing countries should no longer be regarded as peripheral players in the global system. “We are not merely heirs of post-colonial history. We have now risen as a dignified force with our strengths in technology, trade, leadership and the moral voice of the world,” he said. “BRICS today goes beyond political rhetoric. It is a coalition of political, economic and civil society forces moving in tandem to demand a more just and equitable global system.” He highlighted BRICS’s uniqueness through the active involvement of the private sector, women, youth and civil society, making it an inclusive and resilient collective movement rather than an elite discourse. He added that as Asean chair, Malaysia shares this aspiration. Anwar emphasised that BRICS and Asean

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for increased intra-BRICS trade and urged the group to emerge as a strong and principled force, anchored in equity, mutual respect and a shared commitment to creating a more balanced and just international order. Lamenting unilateral tariff measures and protectionist policies, Anwar expressed confidence that BRICS – which today accounts for about 40% of the global economy – holds vast potential to boost trade within the grouping. “With that collective strength, we can engage the world safely, fairly, and justly, negotiating on equal terms with all partners in the multilateral system,” he said. He also stressed the need for reform of key international institutions. “We must demand the transformation of global governance structures, from the United Nations to the World Trade Organisation, the

Anwar makes a point during his speech at the forum yesterday.

M’sian firms urged to boldly venture into new markets

RIO DE JANEIRO: Malaysian companies must be bold in exploring new markets and trading opportunities abroad rather than relying solely on traditional markets, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He emphasised that platforms like BRICS offer vast potential and praised Malaysian firms Petronas and Yinson Production for their successful ventures in Brazil. Anwar shared that Lula was pleasantly surprised to learn of Malaysian companies operating in the country. “I mentioned Yinson and Petronas to him, and their role in Brazil. He was surprised and asked for

Anwar acknowledged that Malaysia’s largest markets and investment sources remain the US and China, but said there are opportunities beyond these major economies. He has instructed Zafrul to facilitate and support Malaysian companies looking to expand their businesses in Brazil. Highlighting Brazil’s growing influence, Anwar described the country as not only a strong voice for the Global South but also an emerging economic powerhouse. In his meeting with Lula, Anwar said they discussed several key issues of mutual interest and that Lula had accepted his invitation to visit

more details,” Anwar said at a dinner hosted by Yinson Production. Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Yinson Holdings Bhd executive chairman Lim Han Weng. Yinson, an independent owner and operator of floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, has three projects in Brazil since 2023, namely FPSO Anna Nery, FPSO Maria Quiteria and FPSO Atlanta. Petronas has also ventured into oil production in Brazil and opened its first petrol station there last year.