MALAYSIA assumed a commanding presence on the global stage this year, promoting regional cooperation, economic progress and global justice.
From pursuing a membership in BRICS to being a stalwart defender of Palestinian rights, Malaysia was at the forefront of global affairs, marking a great year before the Asean chairmanship in 2025.
A VOICE FOR PALESTINE
As the world reeled from Israel's brutal invasion of Gaza in the aftermath of the Oct 7 attack last year, Malaysia has been unwavering it is advocacy of Palestinian interests.
Malaysia co-sponsored a successful United Nations General Assembly resolution in May demanding that the UN Security Council reconsider Palestine's application to join the UN.
At the International Court of Justice, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan delivered Malaysia's oral submission, asserting that Israel violated international law and infringed on Palestinians' right to self-determination.
At multiple multinational forums between June and August, such as the Developing-8, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec), Malaysia called on other nations to use their influence and make a concerted effort to deal with the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.
Throughout the year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibra-him shared Malaysia's desire for peace in Palestine with countries such as Germany, China, Qatar, New Zealand and Turkmenistan.
In August, thousands of Malay-sians gathered at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, for the Palestine Solidarity Rally.
Later that month, Malaysia deployed two aircraft to fly 41 injured Palestinians and their relatives to Kuala Lumpur for medical treatment.
In November, Anwar announced the drafting of a UN resolution proposing the expulsion of Israel from the world body if it continued to violate international law.
Malaysia has channelled more than RM70 million in aid to Palestine up to December, including to non-governmental organisations, through the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine.
MAKING MALAYSIA'S MARK
In March, Anwar visited Germany and held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The prime minister's bold criticism of the West's lack of action against Israel caught the attention of the foreign press.
From May 12 to 14, Anwar visited Qatar, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. There, he discussed economic and educational initiatives.
From May 15 to 19, he focused on Central Asia, where he visited Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, expressing joint desires to explore and collaborate on new opportunities.
Anwar's Kyrgyz counterpart, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Akylbek Zhaparov, asked Malaysia to appoint an adviser to the country to share expertise and guide future negotiations.
From May 22 to 24, Anwar met the then Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida, the second visit to the country in six months. He also engaged with potential investors.
In August, Anwar visited and secured investments in India and did the same in Pakistan in October. The focus was Malaysian palm oil and petrochemicals.
The official visits have resulted in more than RM120 billion in potential investments.
Heads of states and top leaders have also visited Malaysia, such as Chinese Premier Li Qiang in June and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in December.
ROAD TO BRICS
In June, Anwar communicated to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Malaysia's intention of joining BRICS, the intergovernmental organisation founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
In September, on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended a personal invitation to Anwar to attend the BRICS Outreach/ BRICS Plus Summit in Kazan in October.
With support from countries like Ethiopia and Egypt, the Kremlin said in October that Malaysia would become a BRICS "partner country", effective January 2025.
APEC
Artificial intelligence (AI) dominated Malaysia's engagements at the Apec Summit in Peru.
At the Apec CEO Summit, Anwar said AI was the "quantum leap" for emerging economies to succeed and that democratisation of digital access depended on ensuring equal opportunities in urban and rural communities.
On the sidelines, Anwar spoke to the head of Google's delegation, Karan Bhatia, and discussed potential investments in AI and data centres in Malaysia.
HELMING ASEAN
The stage is set for Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2025, with the groundwork already laid for the "Inclusivity and Sustainability" agenda.
In May, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysia hoped to work with Asean member states on better regulations and cooperation on online safety.
In July, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said Malaysia would raise the issue of plastic pollution, which affected many Asean members.
In November, Anwar said the country would focus on centralising the Asean market under the Asean Business Advisory Council Caucus.
Earlier this month, Malaysian Nuclear Agency director-general Dr Rosli Darmawan said the country was prepared to share expertise, experience and best practices on nuclear technology in areas like medicine and healthcare, food and agriculture with Asean member states.
Recently, Anwar gave an assurance that the Asean Power Grid, the cross-border integration of power infrastructure to ensure energy security and digitalisation, would be prioritised.