Malaysia calls for multilateral reforms, ethical AI at Brics Summit
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during his intervention session with Brics leaders, urged the world to move beyond bloc confrontations and geopolitical divisions.
He called for action to be driven by the spirit of cooperation, shared prosperity, and a collective commitment to a fair, safe, and inclusive digital future.
"Malaysia takes seriously the scenario of 'geopolitics of tech' — technological development driven by geopolitical interests — which can undermine stability and stifle innovation," he said.
He added that multilateralism is no longer a choice but an urgent necessity to ensure global stability, economic justice, and the sovereignty of developing nations often marginalised amid geopolitical and technological shifts.
Outlining Malaysia's approach, he said that the country chooses principled cooperation grounded in justice, inclusivity, and universal sovereignty—not confrontation.
As Asean chair, Malaysia is also championing an agenda aligned with Brics aspirations, including calls for reform of the global trade system towards greater fairness and development-centred policies.
Malaysia also welcomed Brics' emphasis on the need for AI governance rooted in ethical values and universal well-being.
In this regard, Malaysia has launched its National AI Roadmap and AI Governance Guidelines, and is now leading efforts to establish the Asean AI Network to enhance regional capacity and set common standards.
"Malaysia stands ready to work closely with Brics and global partners to build a fairer economic system, a safe digital environment, and effective multilateralism for the shared future of humanity," he said.
In his speech, the prime minister also addressed pressing global humanitarian issues, particularly in Gaza and Iran.
"Malaysia urges the world not to remain silent on the humanitarian crimes in Gaza and the atrocities against the people of Iran.
"Brics must rise as the voice of global justice, reject oppression, and uphold human dignity," he added firmly.
This year's Brics Summit focuses on the role of developing nations in shaping a fairer global economic and digital landscape, with Malaysia's active participation reinforcing its commitment to universal values and international cooperation.
Malaysia's participation in the summit is in its capacity as a Brics Partner Country and as the 2025 Asean Chair.
Malaysia officially became a Brics Partner Country on Jan 1 this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar wraps up three-nation visit to boost trade and ties
RIO DE JANEIRO: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim departed for home today after a series of official visits to three countries – Italy, France, and Brazil. The chartered flight from Malaysia Airlines carrying the premier and the Malaysian delegation departed the Galeao Air Force Base (BAGL) at 1pm local time (midnight Monday Malaysian time). This series of visits by the Prime Minister, starting with a three-day official visit to Italy, forms part of Malaysia's ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote economic cooperation at the global level. The visits to these major economic hubs – Rome, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro – were to strengthen Malaysia's diplomatic ties and trade relations with the respective nations. These three markets collectively recorded bilateral trade valued at RM50.91 billion (US$11.14 billion) last year. The Prime Minister was accompanied by a business delegation comprising representatives from major Malaysian corporations and innovative enterprises, including Petronas, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Maybank, FGV, YTL Power, and Sunway. Anwar's inaugural visit to Italy was undertaken at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The visits were to further strengthen bilateral relations between the countries across a wide range of sectors. In Rome, the Prime Minister was accompanied by five Cabinet ministers, namely Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir was also part of the delegation. In Paris, the Prime Minister met with President Emmanuel Macron, with discussions focusing on trade, technology, and education, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In addition to a roundtable with France's industrial giants, the Prime Minister also engaged with local Muslim leaders, met Malaysian citizens in France, and delivered a public lecture at Sorbonne University on July 4. After the Paris stopover, Anwar headed to Rio de Janeiro to attend the 17th BRICS Summit upon invitation from President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Malaysia's role as a BRICS Partner Country and Asean Chair for 2025 was to emphasise the importance of multilateralism based on law, governance of artificial intelligence, climate action, and global health, representing the aspirations of over 650 million Asean citizens. Anwar attended the BRICS Summit as a partner country to the bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Meeting with Myanmar junta under Asean mandate
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended his meeting with Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok last April, stating that it was conducted under an Asean mandate. Anwar stressed that the first such meeting by an Asean chair since the 2021 coup was mandated to secure a ceasefire and enable post-earthquake humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquake on March 28 in Myanmar. He said the matter was discussed with all the leaders of Asean, and none objected. "I came with that mandate. Number one, ceasefire. Of course, there may be one or two scuffles, but then it was agreed. "Number two, humanitarian assistance, transparent, no discrimination. We had our field hospital from the military, from Malaysia to serve all from all regions (in Myanmar)," he said in an interview with France 24 published on the network's digital platforms today. The Prime Minister met Min Aung Hlaing, who is also the Chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council, in Bangkok on April 18 during his two-day working visit to Thailand. Anwar described the engagement as a strategic shift from Asean's previous non-engagement policy, which had failed to produce results. "But at least now, for a month, there's been a ceasefire. Yes, there have been complaints of one or two incidents, but not the continued bombings and destruction," he said. On the issue of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Anwar said Malaysia takes a consistent and balanced approach, adding that the country has maritime borders with multiple neighbours. "Malaysia is a maritime country. We have border issues with all our neighbours, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam. But we didn't go to war," he said. Anwar stressed that Malaysia supports Asean's collective position in urging China and all involved parties to agree on a Code of Conduct. "For 20 years, this has not happened. But the Chinese responded in Jakarta last year. They said yes, they will look at it. They are supportive," he said, adding that efforts will continue. When asked about the possibility of an actual war between the US and China over Taiwan, Anwar said he is not overly concerned about the risk of military conflict, expressing confidence that both sides would avoid war. "No, I'm not that pessimistic because I think both leaders would want to avoid war. Whatever you may say about President Donald Trump, he represents a position, a president in the US that does not want or encourage wars." Anwar also highlighted China's stance, based on his engagements with President Xi Jinping, saying the Chinese leader has been very firm on the issue of avoiding any sort of violent reaction or offensive against any country. - BERNAMA
New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar slams US-Israel strike on Iran as 'wrong move'
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed his concern over the joint United States-Israel bombing of Iran's main nuclear sites last month following the Gaza conflict, calling it a wrong move that disregards diplomacy and the resilience of the Iranian people. In an interview with France 24 published on the network's digital platforms today, the Prime Minister emphasised that resolving the Gaza issue required multilateral and fair negotiations. "I wasn't terribly pleased because I think the way forward is only through negotiations. They (the US) have tried to destroy Iran too many times and you should never ignore the people's resilience," Anwar said. "It failed to account for the resilience, capacity and tenacity of the Iranian people. What we welcome, of course, is a ceasefire," he added. Commenting on Western nations' demands – including France's – for Iran to abandon its nuclear programme, Anwar stressed that such calls must be fair and consistent. "If they want non-proliferation with the understanding that nuclear technology shouldn't be weaponised, that's fair. But it must be applied consistently. These contradictions and hypocrisy have become too apparent, and people no longer accept them," he said. "This isn't the imperialist or colonial era where you can dictate terms. There must be fairness – why impose restrictions on Iran but not Israel? Why these double standards?" Anwar questioned. When asked about his decision to contact Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh after Oct 7, 2023, the Prime Minister said it was in support of a ceasefire initiative, not violence, and stressed that some Western leaders were completely blinded to the atrocities for decades. Anwar explained he had met Hamas leaders to facilitate dialogue through Qatar, Egypt and the US, adding that there was nothing wrong with pursuing a peace deal through negotiation. "I was not there to provoke violence, but to support dialogue. But I won't be a lackey who condemns Hamas while remaining silent on Israel's actions," he said. On criticism that he has been more vocal on Gaza than the war in Ukraine, Anwar rejected claims of double standards by saying that Malaysia has expressed its position clearly, including having spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin to pursue negotiations. "He told me, he's prepared, but don't dictate. I don't represent anyone. We come from a different region and smaller country, but as a friend, I urge him to then seek some sort of an amicable, peaceful resolution of the conflict," said Anwar. - BERNAMA
