Malaysia is content with being a “partner country” of the BRICS economic grouping for now, foreign minister Mohamad Hasan told the Dewan Rakyat.
BRICS is a group comprising 11 countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Iran. Malaysia has been a partner country of BRICS since Jan 1.
Mohamad, who is fondly known as Tok Mat, said there was not much difference between a partner country and a full member, except that a partner country does not have voting power within the bloc’s decision-making process.
“Therefore, we do not want to complicate the current situation until the time comes when conditions allow us to become a full member,” he said while winding up the debate on the 2026 supply bill under his ministry.
Mohamad was responding to Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN–Machang), who asked whether Malaysia would be placed in a situation where “its hands and legs are tied” if it became a BRICS member while having signed a trade deal with the US – which had warned countries in July that joining the bloc could trigger a 100% tariff hike.
Wan Fayhsal also noted that BRICS aims to de-dollarise global trade, which runs counter to US interests.
In response, Mohamad said Malaysia’s interest in joining BRICS is driven by the desire to expand its trade markets, given that the bloc’s founding nations are among Malaysia’s major trading partners.
“There are more pros than cons if we can trade with these nations,” he said.
Commenting on the PN MP’s concerns about the reciprocal trade agreement signed with the US, Mohamad said Malaysia must tread carefully in all its dealings “so that it does not end up trapped”.
“…we still have to be observant and cautious. That is my personal view,” he added.
On Nov 2, Bernama reported that US ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D Kagan said the US respects Malaysia’s sovereign right to pursue its own foreign and economic policies, including exploring opportunities with BRICS.
However, he also pointed out that US president Donald Trump “had been clear” about certain red lines and the potential consequences of crossing them.
When asked by Wan Fayhsal to comment on the “red lines” remark, Mohamad said: “It is normal for those in power to say that.
“We don’t have to follow others’ dance moves. We dance to our own rhythm.”
