Malaysia’s BRICS partnership is set to create new opportunities for multilateral cooperation, linking ASEAN with other major regional blocs, says Russia’s ambassador.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s engagement with BRICS as a partner state is expected to create new opportunities for wider multilateral cooperation.
Russia’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Naiyl Latypov, said this participation comes as member states seek deeper cross-platform collaboration.
“We proposed to our ASEAN partners to develop cooperation not only on a bilateral basis with Russia, but also on a cross-platform basis,” he told a media briefing.
He cited Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year, which led to Brazil’s BRICS chair being invited to the ASEAN Summit.
This enabled all BRICS members to sit at the same table during the East Asia Summit for the first time.
Latypov said Russia sees value in strengthening linkages between ASEAN, BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Union.
These engagements would contribute toward stable rules of behaviour on the international arena.
He said this is especially relevant as Global South countries seek stronger collective representation.
Commenting on Malaysia’s trade agreement with the US, the ambassador said Russia does not take a position on Malaysia’s bilateral choices.
“I am not in the position to comment or to give some advice to Malaysia on what to do,” he said.
He added that what matters most is that Malaysia acts in its national interest.
Latypov reiterated that BRICS is not an anti-Western organisation.
He described it as a platform for countries pursuing independent foreign policies and seeking alternatives.
Discussions on de-dollarisation within BRICS do not reflect hostility toward the US currency, he added.
They respond to concerns over its use “as a tool or weapon” in geopolitical disputes.
