PM to deliver keynote address at BRICS Business Forum
Anwar, who has just arrived in Rio de Janeiro, will be joined by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who also serves as president of the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry, in delivering the keynote.
Malaysia is participating in the summit as a BRICS partner country and as the incoming chair of Asean for 2025.
The country officially became a BRICS partner on Jan 1 this year.
During his visit to Rio de Janeiro, Anwar, who is also finance minister, is scheduled to hold a business meeting with Brazilian multinational aerospace company Embraer.
The Prime Minister is accompanied by Transport Minister Anthony Loke; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Energy Transition and Water Transformation Deputy Minister, Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir; and senior government and corporate officials.
Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Brazil is projected to rise by 14.6 per cent to RM20.35 billion in 2024, up from RM17.43 billion in 2023, maintaining Brazil's position as one of Malaysia's top trading partners in Latin America.
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Malay Mail
12 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Citing Petronas and Yinson success in Brazil, Anwar urges Malaysian firms to go beyond China, US
RIO DE JANEIRO, July 6 — Malaysian companies must be willing to explore new markets and trading opportunities overseas. In making the call, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said they must not solely rely on traditional markets, but instead venture into new ones. Anwar said platforms like the BRICS offer enormous opportunities, and praised Malaysian companies Petronas and Yinson Production for their successful ventures in Brazil. Anwar, who is here at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to attend the 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit, said Lula was surprised to see Malaysian companies doing business in the country. 'I mentioned Yinson and Petronas to him, and their role in Brazil. He was surprised and asked for more details,' he said at a dinner hosted by Yinson Production here. Also present were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Yinson Holdings Bhd executive chairman Lim Han Weng. Yinson, an independent owner and operator of floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, has three projects in Brazil since 2023, namely FPSO Anna Nery, FPSO Maria Quiteria and FPSO Atlanta. Petronas has ventured into oil production in Brazil and last year opened its petrol station as well. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said that although Malaysia's biggest market and source of investment is the United States and China, there are opportunities beyond them. Anwar said he has asked Zafrul to facilitate and offer assistance to Malaysian companies doing business in Brazil. Brazil has not only shown its strength as a voice of the third world, but has also become an important economic power, he said. In his meeting with Lula da Silva this morning, Anwar said they discussed various issues of importance between the two countries. Anwar said Lula has accepted his invitation to visit Malaysia during the ASEAN Summit in October. 'He wants to bring key ministers and business groups to Malaysia. There will be a special conference with both of us jointly addressing the event,' he said. Malaysia participated in the BRICS Leaders' Summit as a partner country and as ASEAN chair 2025. It officially became a BRICS partner country on Jan 1, 2025. Bilateral trade between Malaysia and Brazil increased by 14.6 per cent to RM20.35 billion (US$4.38 billion) in 2024, rising from RM17.43 billion recorded in 2023. Brazil is one of Malaysia's main trading partners in Latin America. — Bernama
Daily Express
16 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Long-awaited truth will soon emerge
Published on: Sunday, July 06, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 06, 2025 By: Datuk Teddy Chin Text Size: SO, finally after more than half-a-year since the so-called Sabah Mining Scandal videos first surfaced – and after months of speculations and gossips – three people were charged in the Court in Kota Kinabalu on the last day of June and just as Sabahans prepared to begin the 2nd half of 2025. The social media have been having a field day since. Advertisement The trio comprised two State Assemblymen and a Selangor-based businessman, Tei Jiann Cheing, also known as Albert Tei. The duo were Assistant Minister cum Tanjung Batu Assemblyman Datuk Andi Suryady and Sindumin Assemblyman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob. Andi is also Kalabakan MP while Yusof is Chairman of Qhazanah Sabah, a State-owned GLC. All three pleaded not guilty. The Press and social media have wrongly described Andi as a GRS Assemblyman. He actually is from Umno although he has been suspended. He won both his State and MP seats on a BN (Umno) ticket in 2020 and 2022 respectively. Yusof won the Sindumin seat on a Warisan ticket in 2018 and 2020. He even became a Minister in the Shafie Cabinet. He was thought to have applied to join Umno after Warisan lost the 2020 State election. But when he pledged to support CM Hajiji Noor during the failed coup dubbed Langkah Kinabalu in early 2023, Umno clarified that Yusof's application to join the party was not yet approved. Speaking to the Press after posting his bail, Albert asked why only two Assemblyman whom he described as 'Ikan Bilis' were charged when he supposedly exposed 10 (including the Assembly Speaker). Well, it is up to MACC and not Albert or who and when they want to charge. They do not need your permission or concurrence. How do you know when and who else they want to charge, if any? Albert also said should anything happen to him including his sudden disappearance, look for the 10. By the same token or going by his logic, can it also be asked that should anything happen to the 10 Assemblymen, police should look for him? Albert also mentioned the Chief Minister's name while talking to reporters. Hajiji's Special Officer has lodged a police report against Albert. He also hinted that MACC was biased, something which may be subjudice as the matter is now in the courts. Hajiji has said from day one late last year that he would leave it to MACC to investigate and that the GRS government would give its fullest cooperation. He himself even voluntarily gave a statement to MACC. Star president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said recently that there might be a hidden hand in all this as his name also suddenly cropped up although he already had his statement taken when the so-called scandal first surface months ago. Veteran Malaysian journalist Datuk Philip Golingai said late last year that a certain retired senior civil servant with the title of Tan Sri could be the mastermind given the hi-tech used to secretly record the videos. About the same time that the two assemblymen were charged, PKR Sabah Chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said the scandal, if true, could change the State's political landscape, adding that his party was on 'standby for any eventuality.' This is certainly not the kind of statement one would expect from the leader of a coalition partner of the State's ruling GRS+. This kind of statement sounds more like from an enemy or an opportunist or, as the Malays would say, 'Musuh Dalam Selimut'. Mustpha should not forget that PKR was in the Opposition in Sabah before Hajiji offered the party a Minister and an Assistant Minister post in early 2023. As they say, man's memory is short. He should also not forget that PKR is supposed to be GRS' partner in the coming election. Even PM and PKR president Anwar never made that kind of statement against GRS and twice defended Hajiji. If Mustapha thinks that Hajiji is someone who can be 'gertak', he can try. Hajiji was not born yesterday. He has been a YB since 1990, Mustapha only since late 2022. I don't know how old Mustapha was or what he was doing in 1990. I don't know why Albert Tei mentioned Hajiji as the CM was never charged by MACC. In fact months ago Sabah MACC already cleared Hajiji. Albert must have been disappointed. To me, Hajiji is one of the best, if not the best, CM Sabahans have seen. He never uttered a four-letter word in the State Assembly as a Sabah MP infamously did in Parliament. He never uttered offensive words against women as one Sabah MP did in Parliament. He never challenged a fellow lawmaker in the Assembly to a fist fight outside as a Sabah MP did. If Sabahans want that MP to be their next CM, then God helps Sabah, just like the British national anthem God Save the Queen (now King). A Sabah DAP leader also threatened to review his party's position in the GRS+ government soon after the video scandal broke out. Review lah. Nobody is going to stop you. But make sure your party secretary general agrees with you. As GRS deputy secretary-general cum Federal Minister Datuk Armijan Ali rightly pointed out, GRS never resorted to mentioning the many cases faced by Malaysian politicians, be them in the opposition or the government, including the present Madani government. By not mentioning any name, Armijan was just being polite and diplomatic. Mustapha should not forget that the many politicians referred to by Armijan include thoses in the Madani Government which includes PKR. Mustapha should not forget that a very senior PKR leader went to jail not once but twice. As people say, look at yourself in the mirror before you criticize others. A Malay proverb says Don't simply spit towards the sky as your saliva may fall on your face. PGRS Information Chief Datuk Nizam AB Titingan also asked Mustapha to look into the mirror. Mustapha should not forget that former Umno president and former PM 'Bossku' Najib is still in jail. He should not forget that BN/Umno was already rejected by Malaysians and Sabahans in 2018. Mustapha should not forget that Najib's successor as Umno president also faced court cases. He was never found guilty by the courts. His representation to the AG was accepted. That's all, and it was questioned by legal circles. Mustapha should not forget that a senior Sabah Umno leader is also facing corrupt charges in court and has been asked by the courts to defend himself. The Chinese press described someone who has been asked to defend himself as 'primarily guilty'. And yet we never heard of Mustapha saying that PKR will review its cooperation with Umno. Neither have we heard DAP wanting to review its relationship with Umno. In fact, Umno's slogan just before the 2022 election was 'No DAP, No Anwar'. Now swallowing their own pride? Being charged in court does not necessarily mean one is guilty. One is innocent unless proven guilty, as Armizan pointed out. A former Sabah Chief Minister was held by MACC for about a week a few years ago. He was brought to court by MACC wearing the Orange T-Shirt and it was widely publicized including on TV. Does this mean he was guilty? In conclusion, I would like to quote the heading of Daily Express' front page on Wednesday: 'Never jump to conclusions'. The Bible says Judge Not So You Won't Be Judged. Amen. I would also like to quote Thursday's DE frontpage headline which says Sabah's Financial Position Solid. It says that Sabah recorded one of the highest State revenues in Malaysia in 2023, reaching RM1.6 billion. Need I say more? I would also like to quotes Senator Tan Sri Anifah Aman's recent statement that Sabah attracted the 3rd highest investments of RM10.9 billion for the first quarter of 2025 alone, after Selangor and FT of KL. Out of the amount, RM6.6 billion is from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) while RM4.29 billion is from Domestic Direct Investments (DDI). Anifah is the Chief Minister's Advisor on Foreign Relations and Investment. He is also Chairman of Invest Sabah. Lastly, all this threat by PKR and DAP, go ahead. No one will stop you. Don't forget, almost half of the coalition partners in GRS prefer that the coalition go it alone in the coming election. If you push GRS to the wall, what do you expect oh? If GRS goes it alone, Tan Sri Pandikar, Dr Jeffrey and Yong Teck Lee will be most happy. So don't behave as if GRS cannot do without you. Hajiji is just being polite when he repeatedly said GRS will work with PKR as it is the PM's party. He was just being diplomatic. Even some of the PGRS' own Divisions have publicly stated their preference for GRS to go it alone. So don't count your chicken before they hatch. In 1985, the well-equipped and well-funded BN leaders from Kuala Lumpur campaigned for Berjaya in full force. The result? Berjaya lost, despite Dr M's 'Swim or Sink with Berjaya' statement while campaigning at the KK padang just days before polling. Next day of course all the local papers put it on their front pages with banner headlines. One Berjaya leader at that time even proudly proclaimed No Need to Campaign Anymore. The BN especially Umno leaders who campaigned for Berjaya in 1985 were unpopular with Sabahans, describing them as 'Orang Malaya'. But after the election, only BN 'Swim' while Berjaya 'Sank' as PBS which defeated Berjaya was accepted into BN. The 'Unseen Hand' should understand that if it bullies Sabahans too much, there may be a repeat of 1985 whereby Sabahans will stand solidly behind GRS. 'Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga'. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. 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Malay Mail
18 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Brics leaders target ‘indiscriminate' US tariffs as China's Xi skips Brazil summit
RIO DE JANEIRO, July 6 — Brics leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro today are expected to decry US President Donald Trump's 'indiscriminate' trade tariffs, saying they are illegal and risk hurting the global economy. Emerging nations, which represent about half the world's population and 40 per cent of global economic output, have united over 'serious concerns' about US import tariffs, according to a draft summit statement obtained by AFP yesterday. Since coming to office in January, Trump has threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive duties. His latest salvo comes in the form of letters informing trading partners of new tariff rates that will soon enter into force. The draft summit declaration does not mention the United States or its president by name, and could yet be amended by leaders gathering for talks today and tomorrow. But it is a clear political shot directed at Washington from 11 emerging nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 'We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organisation) rules,' the draft text says. It warns that such measures 'threaten to further reduce global trade' and are 'affecting the prospects for global economic development.' Xi no show Conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, the Brics have come to be seen as a Chinese-driven counterbalance to Western power. But the summit's political punch will be depleted by the absence of China's Xi Jinping, who is skipping the annual meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president. That absence has prompted fevered speculation in some quarters. 'The simplest explanation may hold the most explanatory power. Xi recently hosted Lula in Beijing,' said Ryan Hass, a former China director at the US National Security Council who is now with the Brookings Institution think tank. The Chinese leader will not be the only notable absentee. War crime-indicted Russian President Vladimir Putin is also opting to stay away, but will participate via video link, according to the Kremlin. Hass said Putin's non-attendance and the fact that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be a guest of honor in Brazil could also be factors in Xi's absence. 'Xi does not want to appear upstaged by Modi,' who will receive a state lunch, he said. 'I expect Xi's decision to delegate attendance to Premier Li (Qiang) rests amidst these factors.' Still, the Xi no-show is a blow to host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants Brazil to play a bigger role on the world stage. In the year to November 2025, Brazil will have hosted a G20 summit, a Brics summit, and COP30 international climate talks, all before heading into fiercely contested presidential elections next year, in which he is expected to run. Lula warmly welcomed leaders and dignitaries yesterday, including China's Premier Li Qiang, as the leftist president hosted a pre-summit business forum in Rio. 'Faced with the resurgence of protectionism, it is up to emerging countries to defend the multilateral trade regime and reform the international financial architecture,' Lula told the event. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose nation is still reeling from a 12-day conflict with Israel, is also skipping the meeting and will be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. A source familiar with the negotiations said Iran had sought a tougher condemnation of Israel and the United States over their recent bombing of Iranian military, nuclear and other sites. But one diplomatic source said the text would give the 'same message' that Brics delivered last month. Then Iran's allies expressed 'grave concern' about strikes against Iran, but did not explicitly mention Israel or the United States. Artificial intelligence and health will also be on the agenda at the summit. Original members of the bloc Brazil, Russia, India, and China have been joined by South Africa and, more recently, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ethiopia and Indonesia. — AFP
