logo
Malaysia urges global action for Gaza justice at BRICS summit

Malaysia urges global action for Gaza justice at BRICS summit

The Suna day ago
RIO DE JANEIRO: Malaysia has reiterated its call for global intervention to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing oppression faced by the Iranian people.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the need for collective action during his speech at the BRICS Leaders' Summit.
Speaking at the summit's intervention session, Anwar urged the BRICS nations to champion justice and reject all forms of oppression. He stressed that the world's future should be built on cooperation rather than geopolitical divisions.
'The world's future must not be dictated by bloc rivalries or geopolitical division. Instead, it should be shaped by a spirit of cooperation, shared prosperity, and a collective commitment to a just, secure, and inclusive digital future for all,' he said.
The summit, which focuses on multilateralism, global economic reforms, and ethical AI governance, also saw Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addressing conflicts in Gaza, Iran, and Ukraine. Lula condemned both Hamas' actions and Israel's military operations in Gaza, calling for an end to the occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state within 1967 borders.
'Absolutely nothing justifies the terrorist actions perpetrated by Hamas. We cannot remain indifferent to the genocidal practices by Israel in Gaza, the indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war,' Lula stated.
The Brazilian leader also highlighted the importance of dialogue for resolving the Ukraine conflict and praised past UN peacekeeping successes, such as in East Timor. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Malaysia wants Airbus, Embraer to consider Malaysia as MRO, supply chain hub
Malaysia wants Airbus, Embraer to consider Malaysia as MRO, supply chain hub

New Straits Times

time18 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

Malaysia wants Airbus, Embraer to consider Malaysia as MRO, supply chain hub

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia wants aircraft supplier companies such as Airbus and Embraer to make the country a hub for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), training and supply chain activities, if the agreements to purchase dozens of aircraft by AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines are realised. Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that apart from discussing the potential purchase of aircraft, the government is also taking the same approach to ensure that the purchase provides benefits or advantages to Malaysia to attract investment. "This is the strategy we are using so that these purchases are not just one-way, they also benefit Malaysia in the aerospace sector. "Of course, our airlines need to have a more diversified purchasing strategy, including Malaysia Airlines, which is now also diversified in terms of purchasing aircraft and not just relying on one supplier," he told reporters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil at the end of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to Italy, France and Brazil. Apart from that, he said the government also suggested that France consider Malaysia as a potential location for it to set up a 'final assembly line' for the aircraft following Airbus receiving many aircraft orders. "Presently, Airbus has quite a lot of orders, many aircraft have not been delivered and many airlines that have ordered Airbus aircraft are facing delays. "Airbus currently has a backlog of 8,000 aircraft, so it has problems in terms of supply chain and so on to complete these aircraft. Of course this backlog will continue and that is why we also hope that Airbus can invest more in Malaysia in terms of securing the supply chain and considering Malaysia as an aircraft assembly destination," he said. Should that be realised, this will boost the country's aerospace sector in addition to providing job opportunities for Malaysians, said Loke. "This is the strategy we hope for through diplomacy (aviation diplomacy) like this and the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaking to the French President and the company directly together with the Airbus management, I think, is a proactive diplomatic action from the country," he said. AirAsia has signed a deal to buy Airbus 321XLR long-haul aircraft worth US$12.25 billion (RM51.72 billion), with delivery confirmed in 2028. According to Loke, Airbus already operates in Malaysia including having an MRO and training centre. "For example, they have Airbus Helicopter training based in Subang, it is already there but what we want is for them to expand their operations," he said. Meanwhile, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of national carrier Malaysia Airlines, has exercised its purchase rights for 20 additional A330neo aircraft through a direct order with Airbus. The new order builds on MAG's initial commitment in 2022 for 20 A330neo aircraft - comprising 10 directly purchased and 10 leased from Avolon - bringing the group's total A330neo commitment to 40 aircraft to date. Deliveries from the additional batch are scheduled between 2029 and 2031. "Malaysia Airlines has ordered 20 A330neo aircraft, but so far, only four were delivered. This was ordered three years ago, there are 16 more to go. They add on another 20 right now, so altogether there will be 40 A330neo aircraft and on top of that, Malaysia Airlines is also considering A350 aircraft as well. So that is something they have to make a decision soon," said Loke. Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd, based in Batu Berendam, Melaka, has also gained the trust of the world's largest airlines including Airbus and Boeing, for the production of several components for the companies' aircraft. Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has nearly 20 operators in the Asia Pacific, collectively operating around 200 E-Jets. Anwar has met with the CEO of Embraer, and airlines AirAsia and Air Borneo have expressed interest in making purchases. – BERNAMA

Trump vows extra 10% tariff against countries ‘aligning' with BRICS
Trump vows extra 10% tariff against countries ‘aligning' with BRICS

Free Malaysia Today

time18 minutes ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Trump vows extra 10% tariff against countries ‘aligning' with BRICS

World leaders pose for a group photo at the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro. (EPA Images pic) WASHINGTON : President Donald Trump said the US will impose an additional 10% tariff on any countries aligning themselves with the 'Anti-American policies' of the BRICS group of developing nations, whose leaders kicked off a summit in Brazil on Sunday. With forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and the disruptive 'America First' approach of the US president, BRICS is presenting itself as a haven for multilateral diplomacy amid violent conflicts and trade wars. In opening remarks to the BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva drew a parallel with the Cold War's Non-Aligned Movement, a group of developing nations that resisted joining either side of a polarized global order. 'BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement,' Lula told leaders. 'With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again.' In a joint statement released on Sunday afternoon, the group warned the rise in tariffs threatened global trade, continuing its veiled criticism of Trump's tariff policies. Hours later, Trump warned he would punish countries seeking to join with the grouping. 'Any Country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% Tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy. Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. Trump did not clarify or expand on the 'Anti-American policies' reference in his post. Trump's administration is seeking to finalise dozens of trade deals with a wide range of countries before his July 9 deadline for the imposition of significant 'retaliatory tariffs'. India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. BRICS nations now represent more than half the world's population and 40% of its economic output, Lula noted in remarks on Saturday to business leaders, warning of rising protectionism. The original BRICS group gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China at its first summit in 2009. The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as members. This is the first summit of leaders to include Indonesia. More than 30 nations have expressed interest in participating in the BRICS, either as full members or partners. Growing clout, complexity Expansion of the bloc has added diplomatic weight to the gathering, which aspires to speak for developing nations across the Global South, strengthening calls for reforming global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council and the International Monetary Fund. 'If international governance does not reflect the new multipolar reality of the 21st century, it is up to BRICS to help bring it up to date,' Lula said in his remarks, which highlighted the failure of US-led wars in the Middle East. Urging the BRICS to take the lead on reforms, Lula reflected on the G20 summit hosted in the same locale last November: 'In a short period of time, the international scene has deteriorated to the point that some of the initiatives we approved then would no longer be possible now.' Stealing some thunder from this year's summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to send his premier in his place. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending online due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to his war in Ukraine. Still, several heads of state were gathered for discussions at Rio's Museum of Modern Art on Sunday and Monday, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. However, there are questions about the shared goals of an increasingly heterogeneous BRICS group, which has grown to include regional rivals along with major emerging economies. In the joint statement, the leaders called attacks against Iran's 'civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities' a 'violation of international law.' The group expressed 'grave concern' for the Palestinian people over Israeli attacks on Gaza, and condemned what the joint statement called a 'terrorist attack' in India-administered Kashmir. The group voiced its support for Ethiopia and Iran to join the World Trade Organization, while calling to urgently restore its ability to resolve trade disputes. The leaders' joint statement backed plans to pilot a BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative within the group's New Development Bank to lower financing costs and boost investment in member states, as first reported by Reuters last week. In a separate statement following a discussion of artificial intelligence, the leaders called for protections against unauthorized use of AI to avoid excessive data collection and allow mechanisms for fair payment. Brazil, which also hosts the United Nations climate summit in November, has seized on both gatherings to highlight how seriously developing nations are tackling climate change, while Trump has slammed the brakes on U.S. climate initiatives. China and the UAE signalled in meetings with Brazilian finance minister Fernando Haddad in Rio that they plan to invest in a proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions about funding conservation of endangered forests around the world.

BRICS leaders voice ‘serious concerns' about Trump's tariffs
BRICS leaders voice ‘serious concerns' about Trump's tariffs

Free Malaysia Today

time21 minutes ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

BRICS leaders voice ‘serious concerns' about Trump's tariffs

BRICS leaders at the 17th Rio summit voiced concern over unilateral trade measures, warning they were illegal and arbitrary actions. (AP pic) RIO DE JENAIRO : BRICS leaders descended on sunny Rio de Janeiro Sunday, but issued a dark warning that US President Donald Trump's 'indiscriminate' import tariffs risk hurting the global economy. The 11 emerging nations – including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – represent about half the world's population and 40% of global economic output. The bloc is divided about much, but found common cause when it comes to the mercurial US leader and his stop-start tariff wars. The BRICS leaders voiced 'serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures,' warning they are illegal and arbitrary, according to a final summit statement. In April, Trump threatened allies and rivals alike with a slew of punitive duties, but abruptly offered a reprieve in the face of a fierce market sell-off. Trump has warned they will again impose unilateral levies on partners unless they reach 'deals' by August 1. The BRICS said such moves break world trade rules, threaten to further reduce global trade and were 'affecting prospects for global economic development.' The summit declaration did not mention the US or its president by name, but it is a clear political volley directed at the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Peterson Institute for International Economics, a Washington think tank, estimates Trump's tariffs could trim about two points off US GDP and hit economies from Mexico to the oil-rich Arabian Gulf. 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 as the group has expanded to include Iran, Indonesia and others, it has struggled to reach meaningful consensus on issues ranging from the Gaza war to reforming international institutions. The political punch of this year's summit has been depleted by the absence of China's Xi Jinping, who is skipping the meeting for the first time in his 12 years as president. The Chinese leader is not be the only notable absentee. Russian President Vladimir Putin, charged with war crimes in Ukraine, is also opting to stay away, but participated via video link. He told counterparts that the influence of BRICS 'continues to grow' and said the bloc had become a key player in global governance. Still, Xi's no-show is a blow to BRICS and to host President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who wants Brazil to play a bigger role on the world stage. War and peace On Sunday he welcomed leaders to Rio's stunning Guanabara Bay, telling them that multilateralism was under attack, while hitting out at Nato and Israel, among others. He accused the trans-Atlantic defence organisation of fuelling an international arms race through a pledge by members to spend 5% of GDP on defence. 'It is always easier to invest in war than in peace,' he said, while accusing Israel of carrying out 'genocide' in Gaza. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian, whose nation is still reeling from a 12-day conflict with Israel, is also skipping the meeting, but he was represented by foreign minister Abbas Araghchi. Still, Iran won the diplomatic backing of its allies over Israel and the United States' recent bombing of Iranian military, nuclear and other sites. Tehran's allies condemned the strikes, and voiced 'serious concern over deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities.' The US, Israel and European nations accuse Iran of using a civilian nuclear programme as cover to create a nuclear bomb. The BRICS bloc did not explicitly mention Israel or the US in the condemnation of the recent attacks, in a concession to members such as hosts Brazil who also enjoy close ties with Western nations. The 2026 BRICS summit is set to be hosted by India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the gathering.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store