Iylia Marsya Iskandar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia remains firm in its stance to maintain good and independent relations with both Western and Eastern nations, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The prime minister said the country has chosen to interact both with the West and the East and to remain consistent on issues of humanity and justice.
"Malaysia is an independent country. We have decided to maintain a fiercely independent stance. That's why we interact with both the West and the East while remaining consistent on issues of humanity and justice," he said.
Anwar was speaking at the annual meeting of the Russia-Islamic World Strategic Vision Group.
The ongoing meeting held in the federal capital today and tomorrow is attended by over 200 delegates from 32 countries. It aimed to serve as a platform to explore opportunities for global collaboration while addressing pressing issues faced by Muslim communities and beyond.
Also present was the group's chairman and Rais (President) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and Deputy Minister at Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
Touching on the cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world, Anwar said it should transcend politics and incorporate economic and cultural dimensions.
He cited the BRICS initiative as a testament to this broader collaboration.
"This collaboration between Russia and the Muslim world to me is not merely political, but must also firmly be based on economic collaboration, as the BRICS initiative has shown... (it must also be) deeply cultural, because it is forged through centuries of interaction and exchange.
"But as I've said, the challenges are there and real Islamophobia remains a persistent and pernicious issue manifesting across continents and cultures," he said.
Anwar added that Russia could assist, complement and even enhance the capacity, effectiveness of the Islamic economic institutions with the strength, experience and technology that they have.
"I would also touch on the issue of agriculture. Russia in the last few years has made an unprecedented remarkable progress in terms of becoming a leading grain producer and exporter and assisting in the global food security challenges.
"We should then allow for this sort of engagement from Islamic dakwah to economic pursuit and strengthen food supply chains because through that, we will effectively fight hunger and poverty.
"There's no reason for Muslim countries to pride ourselves on truth and justice and the value of Islam. At the same time having to grapple with basic problems of poverty, hunger and endemic issues affecting housing and other health issues," he said.
He added that education and research, where Russia has a reputation for excellence in STEM allign naturally with the aspirations of many Muslim countries.
"So, we in Malaysia in the last few years have embarked more aggressively into the Russian-Malaysian High-Tech Centre (RMHTC) and collaboration in all fields and I believe this partnership should transcend other issues," he said.
Russia has long enjoyed diplomatic relations with Muslim countries.
Malaysia has been accepted as a partner country in BRICS.