BRICS 2025: Anwar presents civilisational diplomacy
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim positions Malaysia not just as a participant in international affairs, but as a civilisational bridge committed to narrative sovereignty and moral multilateralism.
Malaysia's participation epitomises a comprehensive and justice-oriented worldview, promoting a civilisational diplomacy where ethics, history, and plural values shape responses to global crises.
The endorsement of the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases, for instance, reimagines public health beyond biomedical metrics.
It recognises the structural roots of inequality, linking access to care with ontological dignity and social justice.
Malaysia's emphasis on resilient health systems, vaccine equity, and pharmaceutical supply chain governance elevates health diplomacy to the level of international security.
In calling for equitable regulation, Malaysia reframes access to care as a sovereign right, countering the paternalism that often defines North-South health frameworks.
On climate, Malaysia reinforces its commitment to a just transition via the National Energy Transition Roadmap and a 2050 net-zero target.
Yet the crux of its intervention lies in its critique of the global climate finance architecture. Malaysia supports the BRICS Framework on Climate Financing, but demands more effective instruments, concessional equity, and institutional coherence.
Malaysia calls for justice that is actionable, not aspirational. As Asean Chair, it drives regional alignment in climate action, positioning Southeast Asia as a sustainable investment hub with narrative depth.
At the heart of Malaysia's foreign policy reorientation is the Anwar Doctrine — a proposition that diplomacy must transcend power balances and embrace civilisational ethics.
Anwar's critique of post-World War II institutions is not anti-Western, but post-hegemonic, seeking to rebalance global legitimacy, amplify plural worldviews, and assert narrative agency for the Global South.
Our role in BRICS+ is to bridge East and West. Central to the Anwar Doctrine is the principle of narrative sovereignty.
Malaysia affirms the Global South's right to define key terms — "development," "security," "democracy" — beyond metropolitan epistemologies.
In proposing initiatives like the Global South Narrative Summit and a Digital Bandung Initiative, Malaysia seeks to reconstitute discursive legitimacy and ontological agency.
These ambitions need institutional scaffolding. With its 2025 Asean Chairmanship and growing BRICS engagement, Malaysia is uniquely positioned to institutionalise this vision.
Hosting a Global South Narrative Summit in Kuala Lumpur would give voice to storytellers, scholars, and diplomats committed to reshaping global discourse.
A Digital Bandung Initiative could reclaim online domains for Southern epistemologies. Furthermore, a UN resolution on narrative sovereignty would substantiate the prerogative of nations to articulate their own epistemic identities.
The Anwar Doctrine is not a nostalgic return to non-alignment — it is a forward-looking strategy for narrative alignment across geopolitical and digital frontiers.
In an era marked by complexity and epistemic turbulence, Malaysia embraces post-normal diplomacy. It acknowledges plural truths, navigates uncertainty, and engages historical repair.
Through the Anwar Doctrine, Malaysia moves from mere participation to narrative leadership—offering not just policy, but philosophy; not just critique, but coherence.
BRICS 2025 marks a turning point in Malaysia's diplomatic trajectory. It is no longer a spectator in global forums but a co-author of shared futures.
Through the Anwar Doctrine, Malaysia transforms multilateralism into a moral stage, positioning the Global South not as a reactive bloc, but as a chorus of civilisational voices reclaiming meaning, dignity, and justice.
This is not just Malaysia's moment — it is the emergence of a global collective in which Malaysia plays both conductor and composer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malaysian Reserve
27 minutes ago
- Malaysian Reserve
ASEAN commends Malaysia for initiating ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 programme
By FARAH SOLHI ASEAN member states commend Malaysia for initiating the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 (AYOS2025), a programme deemed as strategic effort to equip the ASEAN workforce with future-ready skills. In a joint communiqué, the bloc acknowledged AYOS2025 for its objective to assist and prepare the people of ASEAN with skills to adapt to changing labour markets and drive sustainable growth in workforce within the region. The programme is also a platform to exchange best practices and lessons learnt on ASEAN and regional skill standards, training curriculum, skills, assessment and certification. 'This aligned with ASEAN Guiding Principles for Quality Assurance and Recognition of Competency Certification Systems,' ASEAN ministers said in the joint statement. They also welcomed the ongoing efforts to expand Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven training and upskilling programmes for green jobs. This includes through the ASEAN Green Jobs Forum that will be held on Aug 27 and 28 this year in Malaysia. 'We have looked through the adoption of the ASEAN Ministerial Statement and Action Plan for Green Jobs Promotion in the Labour Sector. 'We supported the provision of technical assistance on AI training for ASEAN member states,' they said. The AYOS2025 is organised by the Human Resources Ministry together with its agencies and departments in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to spearhead training and skills initiatives. The bloc also commended the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) efforts in strengthening data-driven platforms and evidence-based decision making through their Database for Monitoring and Evaluation (ADME) System. The system, they said, supports strategic planning and the effective implementation of ASCC initiatives. The ministers acknowledged the ASCC Research and Development (R&D) Platforms Programmes contribution in promoting evidence-based policies and strengthening cross-sectoral decision-making. 'We welcome the launch of the ASCC R&D Platform on the Care Economy which will examine the valuation of care work and the development of sustainable care policies. 'We also welcome the substantive progress made in advancing the ASEAN Creative Economy, including the establishment of the ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework,' they said. This Framework, the communiqué said, provides guidance for the development of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cultural and creative industries across the region. Meanwhile, the bloc emphasised the potential of cultural heritage to promote economic growth, social cohesion, cultural preservation and sustainability, and looked forward to the adoption of the Melaka Declaration on Cultural Heritage Value Creation. Moreover, the member states acknowledge the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) efforts in their ongoing development of Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN. 'We acknowledge AMRI's efforts in developing a successor Work Plan for Information and Media (2026-2035), and the ASEAN Communication Master Plan III (ACMP III) (2026-2030) to align with the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future adopted in May 2025. 'We acknowledge their commitment to transform the media's role to strengthen ASEAN's cohesion and mutual understanding, and enhance cooperation in combating fake news and disinformation. 'In this regard, we welcome the adoption of the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration to Reaffirm AMRI's Commitment to Strategic Progress in Media and Information.' On the issues related to migrants, the member states reaffirmed their commitment to protect and promote migrant workers' rights throughout the entire migration cycle. 'We recognise the significant impact of the migration and development nexus, on the livelihood and welfare of the present and future generations of the ASEAN Community. 'We acknowledged the need to address migration issues in order to achieve ASEAN goals,' they said.
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Malaysia could secure better US tariff terms before Aug 1, say economists
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could still secure better tariff terms with the United States before the August 1 deadline, as US officials signal openness to negotiations despite ongoing concerns over trade imbalances, economists said. This follows comments by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who during his visit to the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) here made clear Washington's willingness to continue talks with Asean members including Malaysia to reach mutually beneficial trade deals. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said Rubio appears to be trying to ease concerns about the US administration's tariff policies. From the US standpoint, he said, trade imbalances have taken a serious toll on their economy, which is why tariffs are the policy instrument they use to address these issues. "While tariffs remain the US government's tool of choice, Washington is open to discussions and negotiations. I suppose there is hope that a win-win solution can be achieved," he told Business Times. Nevertheless, he said Malaysia needs to address the specific concerns raised by the US. According to Afzanizam, the underlying objective behind the tariff push is likely aimed at gaining greater market access to Malaysia's economy. He noted that the US had flagged several non-tariff barriers in its US Trade Representative Report on Foreign Trade Practices released in March this year. Among the issues highlighted were Malaysia's halal certification processes, approved permits in the automotive sector and regulations governing foreign bank branches. "Perhaps by addressing these issues, Malaysia could secure some form of concession in the form of lower tariffs. So, something needs to go in order to gain something," he said. On the possible appearance of US President Donald Trump at the Asean Summit in October, Afzanizam said Malaysia and other Asean countries should be prepared for all eventualities, as Trump has a habit of making surprise announcements. Echoing the views, economist Dr Geoffrey Williams said Rubio has been very open and friendly during his visit to the AMM. He noted that Rubio made it clear the US is open to continuing negotiations with all Asean members to secure win-win trade deals. Williams added that Rubio also emphasised Asean's importance to the US not just in trade, but also strategically and in terms of long-term security cooperation. "This shows that the US is committed for the long run," he said. According to Williams, it is possible for Malaysia to secure better tariff terms before August 1, but that would require a change in approach. He believes Malaysia's current position - as stated by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz - appears "very stubborn" and may make reaching a deal by August 1 more difficult. Williams also said a presidential appearance would help cement relations between the US and Asean while also serving as a highlight of Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year. However, he noted that tariff issues could overshadow the summit unless a solid deal is reached beforehand. During the AMM this week, Rubio said the tariffs imposed by the US are part of a broader push to rebalance its economy globally. He explained that the move aligns with Trump's long-held view that global trade rules have put American workers and industries at a disadvantage. Rubio added that Southeast Asian countries would receive official letters regarding the tariffs "at some point," but noted that discussions could lead to "better" tariff rates. He stressed that the door for negotiations remains open, though markets require clarity, making it necessary to set a clear baseline starting August 1. Earlier this week, Trump announced that a 25 per cent import duty on Malaysian goods would take effect from August 1, citing the need to "protect domestic industries" from what he described as unfair trade practices. On April 2, Trump announced the retaliatory tariffs, where Malaysia was among the affected countries hit with 24 per cent, although enforcement was deferred by 90 days to allow time for negotiations.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Zahid says Anwar addressed judicial appointment issues with BN MPs
KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has clarified issues related to judicial appointments during a meeting with Barisan Nasional MPs, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said. According to Free Malaysia Today, Zahid said the matter was among the issues raised during the one-hour meeting on Friday. 'The king would take into account the personality and background of the prospective appointee when deciding on the matter and we should respect the decision,' he told reporters after opening the Selayang Umno divisional meeting in Sungai Buloh. Zahid said BN held the view that the appointment of the chief justice should not be politicised. He also said BN believed that any royal commission of inquiry into judicial appointments would contradict the government's stance, as stated by law and institutional reform minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. Azalina previously said the government would study the best practices of other countries in appointing judges, with preliminary comparative research to be conducted involving the systems in the UK, India, Australia and Singapore. Delays in filling top positions in the judiciary have prompted calls for a public inquiry and a parliamentary hearing. The chief justice and the president of the Court of Appeal have both recently retired. Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Hashim is now serving as acting chief justice, while Federal Court judge Datuk Zabariah Yusof is the acting Court of Appeal president.
