Malaysia announces willingness to join BRICS “at any time”, says prime minister

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahimdeclared this Monday (27) that the country is ready to join the BRICS “at any time”, reinforcing Kuala Lumpur’s interest in getting closer to the bloc led by emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The statement was made during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and published by the agency Sputnik.

“Yes, of course we want to join [no BRICS]… If they accept it tomorrow, we can join tomorrow,” the Malaysian prime minister said on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting.

The speech represents the most direct manifestation of the Malaysian government on the issue and signals the advancement of diplomatic negotiations with the group’s countries, at a time of accelerated expansion of BRICS and geopolitical repositioning in Asia.

BRICS expands global reach

BRICS was founded in 2006initially as a coalition between Brazil, Russia, India and Chinawith the aim of strengthening cooperation between large emerging economies. THE South Africa was incorporated into 2010completing the acronym.

Since then, the group has been seeking to increase its global economic and political influenceoffering an alternative to Western-dominated financial institutions such as International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

In recent years, the expansion of BRICS has become a priority for the founding nations. In 2024the block received Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates as new members. The following year, in 2025a Indonesia became a full member — a move considered a strategic milestone for the group’s presence in Southeast Asia.

Partner countries and new international architecture

The expansion of BRICS reflects the growing interest of developing countries in diversify economic and financial alliances. According to the announcement made during the group’s summit in 2025, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Cuba, Malaysia, Uganda and Uzbekistan were recognized as “official partner states”a category that precedes full membership.

From January 1, 2026these countries became part of technical forums and work meetings of the New Development Bank (NBD) — financial institution created by BRICS and headquartered in Shanghai. The “official partner” category allows participation in infrastructure projects, sustainable financing and intra-bloc tradebut still without the right to vote on central decisions.

According to diplomatic sources interviewed by the agency SputnikMalaysia has been holding “preliminary talks” with the BRICS expansion committee since mid-2024, especially after Indonesia’s accession. Kuala Lumpur has emphasized its strategic role as Asia-Pacific logistics and financial hub and intends to align itself with new investment and technological cooperation opportunities.

Kuala Lumpur strategic priority

The Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended a independent foreign policy agendawhich seeks to balance relations between the West and emerging powers. In recent months, Malaysia has strengthened ties with China, India and Saudi Arabiawhile maintaining economic cooperation with United States and European Union.

For analysts in the region, eventual accession to BRICS would represent a significant geopolitical repositioning. In an interview with the local press, the Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry, Zafrul Abdul Azizstated that joining the bloc “would open new doors of financing and trade” in areas such as clean energy, technology and infrastructure.

“BRICS represents a network of opportunities that can reduce dependence on traditional financial structures and allow for a more balanced insertion of the Global South in the world economy,” said Zafrul.

Economic and diplomatic impacts

Malaysia’s entry would strengthen BRICS’ presence in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)where the block already has to Indonesia as a full member and Thailand and Vietnam as observers. According to experts, Kuala Lumpur’s accession would expand the group’s diplomatic influence in the region, consolidating an axis of cooperation between Asia and the Global South.

Malaysia has one of the most diversified economies in Southeast Asiawith emphasis on the sector electronic, petrochemical and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export. The country is considered a strategic partner in energy transition e industrial digitalizationareas in which the New Development Bank intends to expand investments.

Sources close to the Malaysian Ministry of Finance reported that the country is considering joining trade clearing agreements in local currenciesa mechanism defended by BRICS to reduce dependence on the dollar in international transactions.

Continued expansion and future of the block

The BRICS expansion movement occurs in a context of global geopolitical tensions and of changes in the international financial system. The consolidation of new members and partners reflects the group’s effort to expand its capacity to influence and promote a multipolar order based on cooperation between emerging countries.

Currently, BRICS represents around 45% of the world’s population e 33% do PIB globalaccording to data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Malaysia’s accession, if confirmed, would increase the bloc’s economic weight and reinforce its presence in the axis Asia-Pacificconsidered strategic for global trade.

“We are ready to enter at any time”, reiterated Anwar Ibrahim. “We believe that BRICS is an important forum to strengthen the Global South and to balance power in international economic relations.”