Chinese premier Li Qiang, left, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim walk in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on June 19. (Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia)
KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia plans to join the BRICS grouping of emerging nations as it seeks stronger ties with Global South economies across the world, becoming the second Southeast Asian nation after Thailand to start the accession process.
According to government sources, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim raised the topic during his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday, asking for Beijing’s support in the application process.
Li, who is on a regional trip, arrived in Malaysia late Tuesday after stops in New Zealand and Australia, becoming the first Chinese premier to visit the Southeast Asian country since 2015. The two nations mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
Anwar and Li held a 30-minute private meeting, followed by an hourlong bilateral meeting, joined by cabinet ministers from both governments, where they exchanged views on regional and global issues.
Ahead of the meeting, Anwar said in an interview with Chinese media outlet Guancha on Sunday that Malaysia is keen to join the BRICS grouping. “We have made the decision, and we are placing the formal procedures soon. I’m working closely with [Brazilian] President Lula [da Silva] in expanding the policy,” Anwar said.
BRICS is an intergovernmental organization established in 2006 comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. It is meant to foster economic cooperation and political dialogue among member countries. The bloc expanded in January to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Earlier in May, Thailand announced its intention to join the bloc after finalizing plans to apply.
Malaysia’s move comes as China’s clout grows in Southeast Asia.
On Wednesday, the two countries exchanged 14 memorandums of understanding in areas such as trade and investment, digital economy, green development, preventing and combating transnational crime, and smart cities.
China and Malaysia held a bilateral meeting on June 19. (Photo courtesy of Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia)Anwar and Li were also scheduled to attend a groundbreaking ceremony of the China-backed East Coast Rail Link near Kuala Lumpur.
The ceremony will mark a crucial milestone in the construction of the 665-kilometer link, which was 60% completed as of the end of March. Initially suspended by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 2018 and later reduced in length and cost, the 50.27 billion ringgit ($10.66 billion) project has since been revived to the current length.
As one of the longest railways being built by China overseas, the link is seen as a hallmark of warmer bilateral ties and of Beijing’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative that some criticize for causing indebtedness in developing countries.
According to the Malaysian foreign ministry, China remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years through 2023. Chinese automotive brands like Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), Great Wall Motors, BYD and Neta are building factories in Malaysia, taking advantage of the government’s incentives and tax breaks to promote electric vehicle production in the country.
“[The Chinese] have been most receptive, and they collaborate well, and they are frank and [make] no display of arrogance,” Anwar said in an interview published on June 15 in the South China Morning Post.
Referring to the interview, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a press conference on Monday that Beijing commends Anwar for his remarks. “China looks to work with Malaysia to carry forward our traditional friendship, deepen cooperation in various fields, and deepen and solidify the China-Malaysia community with a shared future.”
Anwar has reiterated that his country is not picking sides between superpowers, saying at a forum earlier this month that the idea that Malaysia is tilting toward one superpower over the other is a “gross misperception” of his country’s interests.
Such a stance is still viewed favorably by China as Beijing seeks to win the hearts of developing countries amid rising tension with developed economies. Lin, the spokesperson, said China supports Malaysia’s endeavor in “upholding [its] national strategic independence.”
Meanwhile, public sentiment in Malaysia has tilted towards China. A recent survey of intellectuals by Singaporean think tank the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute showed 75% of respondents in Malaysia said they would favor China if forced to choose between the two superpowers, apparently reflecting China’s economic influence and the Muslim-majority nation’s negative sentiment toward the U.S., which backs Israel in the conflict with Hamas.
Still, Malaysia has attracted U.S. companies, with big tech groups such as Microsoft recently announcing massive investments in the country. Malaysia’s exports to the U.S. have increased recently as American companies bought more electronics and other products from Malaysia amid global supply chain shifts, while exports to China have slowed.
source : asia.nikkei