No change in Malaysia’s non-aligned stand on geopolitical issues as Brics partner, says deputy minister

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Malaysia’s association with Brics as a partner country does not impact its non-aligned position on geopolitical issues, including disputes in the South China Sea, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Lukanisman Awang Sauni. Malaysia's focus on Brics is primarily on discovering new economic opportunities, while managing geopolitical matters like the South China Sea through existing bilateral approaches.

Deputy Minister Lukanisman explained during a question-and-answer session in Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia's participation in Brics allows its Prime Minister to meet and build strategic relationships with Brics leaders. Malaysia can also act as a bridge to Asean, providing a stable economic framework that attracts external partners.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that Malaysia's engagement with Brics does not mean focusing solely on economic cooperation, but instead benefits from the 'Ekonomi Madani' framework while navigating geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions.