PM Anwar arrives in Brazil for Brics summit debut, set to champion Asean's priorities
Published on: Sat, Jul 05, 2025
By: Malay Mail, Bernama Text Size: The aircraft carrying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his delegation landed at the Galeão Air Force Base (BAGL) at 5.41am local time (4.41pm Malaysian time) after a 12-hour flight from Paris. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived here today to attend the 17th Brics Leaders' Summit hosted by Brazil. The aircraft carrying Anwar and his delegation landed at the Galeão Air Force Base (BAGL) at 5.41am local time (4.41pm Malaysian time) after a 12-hour flight from Paris where the premier completed his two-day official visit.
Advertisement Anwar was received by Acting Head of Mission of the Malaysian embassy in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, Datuk Mohammad Ali Selamat; Secretary of Trade Promotion, Science, Technology, Innovation and Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, Laudemar Gonçalves de Aguiar Neto, and other Brazilian officials. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, is here at the invitation of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He is being accompanied by Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Minister of Transport Anthony Loke; Miri Member of Parliament Chiew Choon Man; and Paya Besar Member of Parliament Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah. Malaysia's participation in the 17th Brics Leaders' Summit is in its capacity as Brics Partner Country and Chair of Asean 2025. The Summit will mark the first gathering of Heads of State and Government from Brics Member and Partner Countries. Malaysia officially attained Brics Partner Country status on January 1, 2025. Hours after arriving in the coastal city, Anwar is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Brics Business Forum, alongside the Brazilian president. On Monday, the Prime Minister will deliver National Statements on 'Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic–Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence' and 'Environment, COP30 and Global Health' sessions. The intervention reflects Malaysia's steadfast commitment to strengthening multilateralism and amplifying the voice and interests of developing countries. In its capacity as Chair of Asean 2025, Malaysia will seek to promote stronger engagement between Asean and Brics, with the aim of advancing regional cooperation, deepening economic partnerships, and contributing to collective efforts toward a more equitable and sustainable global economy. During his three-day stay here, Anwar is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Brics Member and Partner Countries. He is also expected to engage with Brazilian and Malaysian companies. The Brics group — which serves as a political and diplomatic coordination forum for countries of the Global South and collaboration across diverse sectors — was initially established by Brazil, Russia, India and China. It later expanded with the inclusion of South Africa in 2011, followed by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2023, and Indonesia in 2024. Malaysia, as well as Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Nigeria, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda and Uzbekistan, were accepted as Brics partner countries. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
27 minutes ago
- The Sun
Umno Tangga Batu division seeks mandate to contest parliamentary seat
MELAKA: The Umno Tangga Batu Division today approved a motion for the party to be given the mandate to contest the Tangga Batu parliamentary seat in the next general election. Its leader Datuk Rais Yasin said taking into account the history and composition of the voters, Umno is seen as having a bright chance to reclaim the seat currently held by a Perikatan Nasional representative. 'We appeal for the Tangga Batu parliamentary seat to be returned to Umno. This request is relevant based on the demographics of Tangga Batu parliamentary voters, which consist of 85,000 Malay voters out of a total of 120,000 registered voters. 'More uniquely, we have almost 10,000 military voters because this area is home to several main camps, namely Terendak Camp, Para Camp and Sungai Udang Camp. So we hope that Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership can see the matter and approve our request,' he said here today. He told reporters after the opening of the Umno Tangga Batu Division Delegates Meeting 2025 by vice president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani at the Sungai Udang Prison Complex Hall, which was also attended by Melaka Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. In the 15th general election (GE15) in 2022, BN through its candidate Datuk Lim Ban Hong from MCA lost in a five-cornered contest. - Bernama
The Sun
32 minutes ago
- The Sun
ASEAN security agendas for September meeting in Melaka
SEMPORNA: A total of 10 security agendas will form the consensus and focus of discussions at the ASEAN Ministers' Meeting on Security in Melaka in September. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who will chair the meeting, said among the topics to be discussed are tackling cross-border crimes, intelligence sharing, capacity building and joint operations. 'To tackle cross-border crimes, we will leverage our ASEAN Chairmanship this year as the best platform to exchange information and ideas that can be developed into strategies for effectively addressing security issues,' he said. He told reporters this after the Security Briefing and Monitoring Programme with the Home Minister and Foreign Delegates here today. According to Saifuddin, the three-day meeting would be fully utilised at the ASEAN ministerial level to present and discuss ASEAN security issues for the common interest. 'We can see certain things, but there are also some things we can't see, but our neighbours (neighbouring countries) can. These are among the matters that can be presented at the ASEAN meeting,' he said. - Bernama
Focus Malaysia
38 minutes ago
- Focus Malaysia
M'sian-owned Zchwantech Titan showcases national digital identity platform to Timor Leste gov't
MALAYSIAN-OWNED technology firm Zchwantech Titan Lda has successfully conducted a high-level technology showcase for the Timor Leste government by presenting its flagship National Digital Identity platform as part of the country's broader vision to modernise public services and accelerate digital governance. The strategic engagement took place during a recent official working visit by senior Timor Leste government representatives to Malaysia. This was when the regional digital identity systems specialist demonstrated its secure biometric-powered digital identity solution which is designed to integrate key public and private sectors spanning banking, healthcare, telecommunications, education and civil registries to the Timor Leste delegation. Zchwantech's presentation was well received with Timor Leste's government officials expressing strong interest and satisfaction in the platform's potential to support the country's E-Governance Roadmap and its Vision 2025 for an inclusive and connected society. In a nutshell, the system is designed to provide unique digital identifiers linked to biometric and demographic data, thus enabling secure, seamless access to services for over one million citizens. 'This is more than just a digital ID – it's about empowering people, creating transparent institutions and laying the foundation for inclusive digital growth,' commented Zchwantech's chairman Datuk Seow Gim Shen. 'We commend the Timor Leste government's leadership in prioritising national digital transformation and are ready to support Timor Leste every step of the way.' Reaffirming the delivery of its commitment, Zchwantech,'s executive director Alex Chan Chau Loong described the project as an undertaking where 'vision meets execution'. 'We're turning Timor Leste's Digital Revolution goals into reality. Our Digital ID platform is built to be both agile and rigorously secure, thus ensuring fast deployment while safeguarding citizen trust,' he envisages. 'Critically, it is future-ready for connectivity to ASEAN systems therefore Timor Leste grows hand-in-hand with the region.' Pilot showcase zone As part of the proposed phased deployment model, Zchwantech has earmarked Oecusse – Timor-Leste's Special Administrative Region – as the ideal pilot location to launch the Digital ID platform. The showcase envisions Oecusse as a controlled, scalable testbed that can demonstrate tangible benefits ahead of a full nationwide roll-out. This pilot concept aligns with Timor Leste's strategy to build confidence in new technologies through live demonstrations, stakeholder engagement and phased adoption across government ministries and institutions. If adopted, Timor Leste stands to become one of the first ASEAN nations to implement a nationwide digital identity framework powered by biometrics and secure data infrastructure – one which positions the country as a regional trailblazer in digital public service innovation. The proposed platform supports the country's aspirations toward ASEAN accession while reinforcing national goals for financial inclusion, transparent governance and cross-border digital interoperability. Backed by a potential investment of up to US$13.8 mil (RM58.2 mil), the platform is ready for full implementation pending government approval and alignment with national procurement protocols. – July 5, 2025
