SEREMBAN, May 22 — Malaysia’s participation in Brics is seen as having the potential to strengthen the country’s position in global economic competition, as well as reduce dependence on the traditional financial system dominated by major powers, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said the formation of the bloc aims to ensure that countries of the Global South are not continually sidelined, noting that Brics accounts for about 30 per cent of global gross domestic product (GDP) and represents a significant share of the world’s population.

“Our agenda is to ensure that Brics countries are able to enhance and maximise their capabilities so that they are not left behind, especially in the post-Covid-19 period.

“Furthermore, many countries are burdened with debt, so I believe the global financial system also needs to be reviewed. We no longer want to be overly dependent on a single system,” he told reporters after launching the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Sendayan athletics championship here today.

Mohamad, who is also Rembau MP and Rantau assemblyman, said Malaysia is now expanding the use of local currencies in trade with neighbouring countries, including Asean members, to reduce reliance on third-party currencies.

He said, at the same time, efforts are being strengthened to boost trade among member countries and reinforce their respective currencies through regional economic cooperation.

“This is why the ringgit is strengthening, as the country’s trade volume has increased significantly. In fact, in the first quarter of this year alone, Malaysia’s total trade exceeded RM1 trillion.

“Malaysia is a trading nation. Any effort to enhance national trade must be carried out in an orderly manner. We do not want to be overly exposed to the use of foreign currencies; it is better for us to trade using our own currencies and through our respective central banks,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said Malaysia can play an important role in Brics given its position as an Asean member and an active trading nation at the international level.

He said Malaysia can leverage the principles of multilateralism shared by Brics and Asean to strengthen governance and enhance investor confidence in the country.

He added that Malaysia continues to be a preferred destination for foreign investors due to its clear, consistent and principled foreign policy, including its commitment to neutrality and its firm stance against human rights violations. — Bernama

PHNOM PENH, May 20 — Putrajaya and Nay Pyi Taw are now working to restore ties nearly five years after Myanmar’s military coup plunged the nation into diplomatic isolation.

Diplomatic dialogue is resuming after a lengthy thaw, following the election of former armed forces chief Min Aung Hlaing as president on April 10 — a development that is prompting diplomats to rethink on re-engagement with the South-east Asian nation. 

During a one-day working visit on Tuesday to Nay Pyi Taw, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan held talks with his counterpart, U Tin Maung Swe on a broad range of issues.

“The two foreign ministers cordially discussed matters relating to the enhancement of relations between Myanmar and Malaysia at the bilateral level and in the context of Asean.

“They exchanged views on promotion of existing cooperation in the areas of mutual interests,” Myanmar’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

Mohamad’s visit also comes shortly after the 48th Asean Summit in Cebu, in the Philippines on May 8, where several member states struggled to reach a consensus on the status of Myanmar’s newly elected government.

Since the coup in February 2021, which ousted the elected civilian government, Asean has not recognised the military-led administration in Nay Pyi Taw and has distanced itself diplomatically. 

Observers say the revitalising of Malaysia-Myanmar bilateral relations signals a political shift that could redraw regional diplomacy in South-east Asia and pave the way for Myanmar’s return into Asean’s fold after prolonged political turmoil, armed conflict within the country and international scrutiny.

“Asean must bridge the gap because in Cebu, there were different views on post-election Myanmar. Mohamad’s visit shows Malaysia has now recognised the election outcome, and it is a good move. 

“While some other countries are yet to recognise (the Myanmar elections). A recalibrated engagement with Myanmar is now needed,” Bangkok-based geopolitical analyst Kavi Chongkittavorn told Bernama. 

Asean, he said, should pave the way for an informal meeting with Myanmar leaders following the national elections to bring an amicable reconciliation to the long-standing Myanmar crisis. 

Last year, Malaysia, as Asean chair, worked relentlessly to bring an end to the Asean-Myanmar political stalemate and stop the ongoing armed civil war raging in parts of the country. 

The move was to allow critical international humanitarian assistance into the country affected by the civil conflict and a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28 last year.

According to the United Nations, about 3.3 million people have been displaced due to the ongoing crisis while about 5,000 people have lost their lives since the coup.

Observers believe that a peaceful Myanmar with about 55 million people is vital for regional stability.  — Bernama 

PETALING JAYA, May 20 — Malaysia is demanding for the Israeli Zionist regime to immediately release 25 of its citizens who are members and crew of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) detained off the coast of Cyprus on May 18.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the action runs counter to basic human rights and international law, as the group were not within Israeli waters when they were intercepted by the country’s authority.

“We demand that the Israeli Zionist regime accord them proper treatment and release them immediately as this is against basic human rights and international law.

“They did not intrude… they were (located) far off (the coast of Cyprus). And yet they were intercepted, and there were citizens of many other countries who were also detained by the Israeli Zionist regime,” he said, during a media conference at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Subang, on Tuesday.

Mohamad said he also would like to thank his counterpart from Türkiye, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and the government of Turkiye for successfully bringing home 10 Malaysia citizens who were detained earlier.

“But now we have more detained.

“We ask for them to be accorded proper treatment and be released immediately,” he said.

Mohamad said for other Malaysians were earlier detained by the Greek authority when their vessel sank while in the process of bringing it back.

Mohamad said three other crew or participants have been released while two more – the captain and first officer — have been detained and tried before being freed by the court.

“They have all returned to Istanbul.

“We would like to again thank my counterpart, Hakan Fidan, and the government of Turkiye,” he said. — Bernama 

NEW DELHI, May 16 — Malaysia’s participation in the Brics Foreign Ministers’ Meeting has strengthened the country’s position in the intergovernmental organisation, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said this has also helped expand Malaysia’s role in promoting multilateral cooperation and advancing the interests of developing countries on the global stage.

Mohamad said among the key issues discussed was the importance of upholding multilateralism in international relations amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.

“This year’s theme largely highlights the importance of multilateralism and the need to maintain multilateral relations.

“This is in line with Malaysia’s foreign policy, which aims to ensure that multilateralism remains the foundation of relations between countries,” he told reporters after attending a dinner with staff and families of the Malaysian High Commission here yesterday.

He said Malaysia also believes the United Nations (UN) should be further strengthened as the main institution for managing international relations and addressing global challenges.

“Malaysia wants to see the principles of multilateralism maintained and reinforced, and it will continue to support any steps that allow institutions such as the UN to play a more important role amid today’s uncertain geopolitical climate,” he said.

He said the meeting also included informal discussions on the crisis in West Asia, including tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have impacted the global economy and the Asean region, adding that Malaysia wants the crisis to end as soon as possible.

Mohamad said at the meeting he also met with his counterparts from Iran, Russia, India, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Cuba and Thailand to further enhance economic cooperation and intra-Brics trade.

“I also represented Malaysia in calling for stronger intra-Brics trade so that we can increase trade with Brics member countries,” he said.

He said India’s role as an important partner in trade, pharmaceuticals and tourism, as well as efforts to bolster people-to-people ties through improved connectivity, were also discussed.

He also said Malaysia aims to position Egypt as a gateway to the North African market.

In a related development on the Strait of Hormuz, Mohamad said Iran had assured that Malaysian vessels face no issues passing through the strategic waterway, but heavy congestion has led to longer transit times.

“That is what they have already assured, that they have no issues with Malaysia and that Malaysia is regarded as a friendly nation,” he said.

“But due to severe congestion, with more than 2,000 vessels stranded following the recent closure, it is taking time for ships to exit the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Mohamad, who left yesterday, concluded his working visit in conjunction with the Brics Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 14 and 15.

At the meeting, he took part in four main programmes, namely a courtesy call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, delivering two statements, an official dinner, and seven bilateral meetings on the sidelines.

The meeting serves as a key platform in preparation for the Brics Summit, which is scheduled to be held here on Sept 12 and 13. — Bernama

NEW DELHI, May 15 — Malaysia has reiterated its position that all disputes in West Asia must be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

In a Facebook post today, he said the position was conveyed during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the 2026 BRICS Partners Foreign Ministers’ Meeting here yesterday.

Mohamad said that during the meeting, he also obtained the latest updates on the conflict in West Asia, which continues to affect regional stability and international security.

At the meeting, Mohamad also held bilateral discussions with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla.

He said the discussions touched on the current geopolitical and economic situation in Cuba, as well as the latest developments in West Asia, which continue to draw international attention.

According to Mohamad, Parrilla also expressed appreciation for Malaysia’s support towards efforts to end the United States’ unilateral sanctions against Cuba.

“Malaysia and Cuba remain committed to further strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation on international platforms, including BRICS, NAM and the G-77,” he said.

Mohamad also paid a courtesy call on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his office in Seeva Teerth here.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the delegates and shared his views on efforts to strengthen cooperation within the BRICS framework, particularly towards closer, more inclusive and mutually beneficial relations,” he said.

The 2026 BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting brought together ministers and representatives from BRICS member states and partners to discuss global geopolitical developments, economic cooperation and issues involving countries of the Global South. — Bernama