Asean sees Russia as ‘balancer' amid US-China rivalry, say analysts
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming East Asia Summit in October this year, a key Asean platform for strategic dialogue with major external partners. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA : As tensions between the US and China intensify, Asean member states are increasingly looking at Russia as a potential 'third power' or 'balancer' to diversify their strategic partnerships, say analysts.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said the unpredictability of US President Donald Trump's administration has shaken confidence in Washington's reliability as a long-term partner.
'Whether you are an ally, a close friend, or even an adversary, Trump doesn't differentiate. Asean needs other superpowers,' he told FMT.
As a result, Azmi said, he expects Asean to move closer to Russia under Malaysia's chairmanship, particularly in the economic, geopolitical, security and defence spheres.
He said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's push for Malaysia to join the BRICS economic grouping was a step in the right direction, allowing Malaysia to diversify its international partnerships and aligning Asean with an alternative framework to the traditional Western-led order.
Malaysia officially became a BRICS partner on Jan 1 following the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, which Russia chaired. Thailand and Vietnam became partners in late 2024 while Indonesia was made a full member earlier this year.
Elena Burova, a research fellow at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said Asean-Russia ties have gained momentum, citing Anwar's state visit to Moscow and the bloc's growing engagement with BRICS.
She said the partnership allows Asean to maintain autonomy without aligning too closely with either Washington or Beijing.
'Russia's role as an emerging player in the region is welcomed by Asean countries seeking to hedge their diplomatic bets. Russia could become a desirable balancer in the region.
'Asean countries stand to benefit from Russian expertise in military technology, equipment and training, which could enhance their defence capabilities and overall readiness,' she said.
Cooperation constraints
However, Burova said Western sanctions may hinder efforts to strengthen military cooperation between the regional bloc and Russia.
'While Western sanctions have limited Russia's ability to export military hardware, the evolving defence relationship between Asean and Russia can pursue alternative avenues, such as cooperation, training and joint initiatives that enhance regional security.
'Given the strategic importance of maritime security in Southeast Asia, Russia has engaged in discussions and cooperative efforts in this area,' she told FMT.
Ian Storey, senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said those efforts include one joint Asean-Russia naval exercise to date and Russia's continued participation in Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) activities.
Despite limited opportunities for Asean-Russia ties to fully blossom given constraints, he said continued engagement with Asean serves Moscow's interests.
'Russia places great importance on the countries of the Global South,' he said.
'Good relations with countries in the Global South strengthens the Kremlin's narrative that Russia has plenty of friends around the world and that the West's attempts to isolate it have failed.
'Russia has some old friends in Asean, especially Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.'
Anwar's recent official visit to Russia from May 13 to 16 has underscored Malaysia's commitment to diversifying its international partnerships and enhancing its role in a multipolar
global landscape.
During the visit, Anwar extended an invite to Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the upcoming East Asia Summit in October this year, a key Asean platform for strategic dialogue with major external partners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt to set up special task force to address financial irregularities
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the decision to set up the task force was made during the special Cabinet committee on national governance meeting today. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : The government will be establishing a special task force to address financial irregularities, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced today. Anwar, who is also finance minister, said the decision to set up the task force was made during the special Cabinet committee on national governance meeting today. 'As part of efforts to strengthen the role of the national audit department through amendments to the Audit Act 1957, the meeting agreed to establish a task force to address serious irregularities,' he said in a Facebook post. During the meeting, he stressed the importance of addressing audit findings related to financial irregularities that could undermine the country's fiscal management. He said the new task force will ensure that follow-up actions are more holistic, targeted and have high impact, in keeping with the principles of accountability, transparency and integrity. Last month, Auditor-General Wan Suraya Wan Radzi said the amended Audit Act, which came into force last year, empowers the department to conduct audits on 1,856 GLCs. She was quoted as saying the amendment expands the department's scope, thereby strengthening the government's oversight of governance and financial management within GLCs. The changes include the expansion of the auditor-general's powers to include audits of entities receiving government financial guarantees, by introducing the 'follow the public money' audit approach. Wan Suraya said, moving forward, all GLCs would be held accountable for any irregularities identified in the auditor-general's report. She highlighted that the committee responsible for following up on actions taken based on the auditor-general's report had uncovered several instances of leakages in state and federal financial statements, which are now in the process of being recovered. She added that beyond the recovery of public funds, the audit process aims to determine whether serious irregularities, governance lapses or systemic failures have occurred.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Professionals, firms used to hide money trail in highway project, says MACC
MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the corporate figure with a 'Tan Sri' title involved has yet to be questioned as he is still warded at a private hospital. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) revealed that the misappropriation of sukuk funds for a Klang Valley highway project involved professionals and multiple companies to obscure the flow of funds. MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the professionals involved included auditors, financial experts, as well as engineers, Utusan Malaysia reported. He also said the corporate figure with a 'Tan Sri' title involved has yet to be questioned as he is still warded at a private hospital. 'Today, investigators obtained a medical assessment from the attending doctor to verify the Tan Sri's condition before we can proceed to record his statement. 'In the meantime, 45 individuals who previously gave statements have been called back to provide further information,' he said. Azam added that the investigation team is also tracking down luxury vehicles and properties belonging to the Tan Sri in London and Switzerland. He said investigations now focus on the actual value of luxury alcoholic beverages in the Tan Sri's possession, amid suspicions that some of the misappropriated funds may have been transferred to other accounts. 'At the same time, a notice for asset declaration has been issued to the Tan Sri and other relevant parties,' he added. To date, the seized assets include 14 individual bank accounts totalling RM4.5 million, eight company accounts totalling RM33 million, a luxury condominium and a plot of land valued at RM24.5 million, as well as nine vehicles worth RM7.65 million. Azam said 13 more vehicles have yet to be handed over to investigators. Also seized were luxury watches worth around RM25 million, designer handbags valued at RM3 million, jewellery and diamonds worth RM6 million, and four horses valued at RM400,000. 'RM3 million worth of alcoholic beverages, overseas assets valued at over RM15 million, and gambling activities estimated at around RM20 million are also under investigation. 'Investigations are also focussing on RM12 million in bribes allegedly paid to certain parties to facilitate the movement of funds out and back into the suspect's possession,' he said. Previously, Azam said that the anti-graft agency was investigating three cases of alleged bribery and false claims connected to the Maju Expressway Extension (MEX II). He said the first investigation paper involves false claims amounting to RM361 million which came from sukuk funds, while the second case concerns false disclosures involving RM416 million in sukuk funds and RM50 million in bank loans. The third case involves certain parties who allegedly solicited and received around RM12 million in bribes.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Bung should be the last to talk about loyalty, says Joniston
GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the coalition had never been reliant on Sabah Umno. (Japen pic) PETALING JAYA : Gabungan Rakyat Sabah information chief Joniston Bangkuai today hit back at state Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin for saying it was tough to work with GRS due to its past betrayal. Joniston, who is also the Parti Bersatu Sabah information chief, said Bung was the last person who should be talking about loyalty or sincerity. 'It was Bung who conspired with Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat in January 2023 to topple the (state) government led by chief minister Hajiji Noor. 'Bung wasn't betrayed, he was the one betraying (others). 'Even while sitting in the state Cabinet, he had no respect for his colleagues in the state government led by Hajiji,' he said in a statement. He said during the political crisis, several Umno assemblymen refused to support Bung's move and instead backed Hajiji, as did Pakatan Harapan. 'If anyone needs to reflect, it's Bung. 'Why did your colleagues abandon your 'Kinabalu Move'? 'Why did PH support Hajiji instead of you? The answer is obvious: you didn't have their trust,' he said. Joniston said GRS had never been reliant on Umno and reiterated that the coalition was fully prepared to face the upcoming state election independently. Earlier today, Bung said Sabah Umno would not work with GRS in the upcoming state election and that it would only consider working with the party after the state polls. Citing his party's 'dark and bitter' past with GRS, Bung said they needed to practise caution in working with the coalition again. PH and Barisan Nasional have already announced an alliance for the Sabah polls, which must be held by the end of the year. This prompted GRS to threaten to go solo. GRS and PH are currently allies in Hajiji's state government while BN sits in the opposition in the Sabah legislative assembly. However, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim had expressed confidence that PH, BN and GRS would be able to agree on an alliance for the state election. Last week, the prime minister said discussions among the three coalitions were ongoing. Despite the negotiations, several Sabah BN and GRS leaders have traded barbs over the past few weeks, including Bung and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Jeffrey Kitingan.
