(Bloomberg) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim praised President Vladimir Putin for steering Russia’s development and pledged to deepen ties, saying there was “enormous potential” to enhance regional trade relations already focused on semiconductors.
Anwar, who is on a two-day visit to Russia, said it would be to Malaysia’s benefit if Russia shared its achievements and agreed to “collaborate in all fields of endeavor.” The countries are discussing tie-ups ranging from aerospace and advanced technologies to agriculture and food security.
“You have shown your determination to be able to undertake difficulties and survive, and we would certainly benefit from this experience,” Anwar said in a meeting with Putin on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.
The Malaysian prime minister has followed in the footsteps of other Asian leaders in meeting with Putin since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine more than two years ago, unmoved by the West’s condemnation of the Russian leader and his charges for alleged war crimes. The decision to visit Russia, Anwar said, was “not an easy feat,” but it was “the right decision.”
Anwar said Southeast Asian countries belonging to the Asean bloc have always engaged with Russia and there is an “open trade” focusing on semiconductors and other related fields. “I look forward to work with you and your team, but more so, Mr. President, I agree with you. The potential is huge,” he said.
Washington has been critical of smaller nations that have played host to Putin since Russia attacked Ukraine. The US Embassy in Hanoi earlier said “no country should give Putin a platform to promote his war of aggression and otherwise allow him to normalize his atrocities,” in response to Vietnam hosting the Russian leader this year.
Anwar said on Thursday he accepted a personal invitation from Putin for Malaysia to participate in the October BRICS Summit in Kazan. Joining the bloc, named after Brazil, Russia, India and China and South Africa, would allow Malaysia to “benefit and share” given the nation is a semiconductor hub, he said.
“The global south network of BRICS would give us an opportunity to leverage this,” Anwar said at the plenary session of the forum. The bloc will “ensure there are fair trade practices and that the international financial infrastructure is not monopolized by one country or one region.”
(Updates with comments from Anwar in paragraph seven and eight. An earlier version was corrected to make clear Anwar was on a two-day visit to Russia in paragraph two.)
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