Caution urged on PM’s potential Russia visit, says Foreign Minister

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has to take a cautious approach regarding Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s potential visit to Russia.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that despite multiple invitations for Anwar’s visit, Malaysia has yet to commit to any, reflecting its careful stance on international engagements.

Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Mohamad pointed out the need for Wisma Putra to advise the Prime Minister to carefully scrutinise every one of the multitude of invitations and proposals on the table.

“We must be cautious in positioning our country,” he said, underlining the importance of avoiding entanglement in complex global politics that could create issues in relationships with other nations.

The Foreign Minister reassured that Malaysia maintains positive relations with key international players, including Russia and China.

Mohamad was responding to questions from Wan Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) regarding the absence of an official visit to Moscow.

Wan Fayhsal said that despite Russia’s invitation to Malaysian leaders, no arrangements have been made for a visit by the Foreign Ministry or the Prime Minister.

Consequently, he sought to know when the Prime Minister would visit Russia.

He also said that if Malaysia wants to join BRICS, the approach should be knocking on Moscow’s door, not Brazil’s.

He proposed Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean in 2025 as an opportunity to engage with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Mohamad explained that any visit by the Prime Minister or the Foreign Minister could be interpreted as endorsing bilateral relations with the host nation.

“We don’t want to be seen as leaning towards anyone,” Mohamad said, adding that Malaysia has good ties with Russia.

He said an official visit by the Prime Minister needs to be planned properly as the current geopolitical situation is very fluid.

“Our foreign policy today is not merely traditional diplomacy but also trade diplomacy,” he said, highlighting ongoing efforts with the International Trade and Industry Ministry to explore regional trade opportunities beneficial to Malaysia.

Besides, Mohamad said Malaysia’s interest in joining BRICS is because it represents a loose coalition.

“BRICS is not a bloc based on defence or security but a loose coalition. We need to ensure that we do not become part of a unipolar world dominated by a single great power.

“That’s why BRICS is seen as a foundational platform for Malaysia, advocating for a world not overly dominated or managed by one party alone,” he added.

BRICS was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for emerging economies comprising Brazil, Russia, India and China with South Africa joining the group in 2010.

In January 2024, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates joined the organisation as new members.

Russia is the current president of BRICS with Brazil set to assume the presidency next year.