With Malaysia assuming the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, coinciding with Brazil’s Chairmanship of BRICS, both sides agreed to explore cooperation and pursue regional and international matters of mutual interest.

At the same time, Malaysia’s aspiration to join BRICS presents both opportunities and challenges. While deeper engagement with BRICS will expand the economic partnerships and strengthen Malaysia’s global influence, it may also introduce geopolitical complexities that test ASEAN’s unity.

BRICS members often pursue assertive national interests which may not always align with ASEAN’s consensus-driven approach and commitment to regional stability. This raises a crucial question: Can Malaysia deepen its global ties without undermining ASEAN’s cohesion and long-term prosperity?

Malaysia’s potential entry into BRICS marks a strategic move to diversify its economic partnerships and strengthen its position in an increasingly multipolar world. Representing over 40 per cent of the global population and around 25 per cent of global GDP, BRICS is rapidly expanding its influence. This offers Malaysia new trade opportunities, alternative financial mechanisms and avenues to mitigate currency fluctuations.

Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli emphasised that “Malaysia’s application to BRICS is centred on building economic partnerships, strengthening trade ties and expanding our growth potential. Whether it is ASEAN or BRICS, our worldview has a commonality.”

He also stated that Malaysia is crafting a new position for the country to play as the ASEAN Chairman in 2025.

While the BRICS membership could enhance Malaysia’s global standing, it also presents challenges in balancing economic and strategic benefits with its obligations to ASEAN.

BRICS' economic priorities and geopolitical interests may not always align with ASEAN's principles of regional stability, neutrality and consensus-based decision-making. To navigate this, Malaysia must adopt a balanced diplomatic strategy – leveraging BRICS for economic and strategic gains while actively reinforcing ASEAN centrality through continued collaboration, alignment with regional initiatives and a firm commitment to ASEAN principles.

Regional unity top objective

Undoubtedly, the region's unity remains Malaysia's top objective as ASEAN Chair. Malaysia’s leadership will continue to prioritise ASEAN’s unity and collective success. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, affirmed, “as ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia is committed to strengthening regional unity while engaging with emerging power blocs. Our participation in BRICS ensures ASEAN remains central to global dialogue, securing a resilient future for all.”

Malaysia seeks BRICS membership not just for global engagement but also to further integrate the ASEAN economies and build greater resilience within the region. By connecting ASEAN’s economic interests with BRICS initiatives, Malaysia aims to create new trade and investment opportunities, strengthen regional ties and foster economic growth.

During a recent diplomatic talk “From BRICS to ASEAN: Brazil & Malaysia’s Global Leadership in Uncertain Times” held by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI), the Ambassador of Brazil to Malaysia, His Excellency Ary Quintella, highlighted that over 40 countries have expressed interest in joining BRICS.

This growing global appeal underscores the significance of Malaysia’s engagement with BRICS. His statement reflects the bloc’s dynamic evolution and suggests that Malaysia’s involvement could position ASEAN to engage more effectively with BRICS’ expanding influence.

Need to address possible risks

While the potential benefits of BRICS membership are clear, Malaysia must also address concerns regarding possible risks. Over-dependence on the BRICS economies could expose ASEAN to geopolitical rivalries or economic downturns within BRICS nations.

Additionally, aligning with BRICS may create diplomatic friction within ASEAN, particularly among members wary of external influence that could dilute ASEAN’s collective stance in international negotiations.

To mitigate these risks, Malaysia should advocate for a structured ASEAN-BRICS dialogue, ensuring that ASEAN members engage with BRICS collectively rather than acting in isolation. This approach would help maintain ASEAN’s unity while securing the economic benefits of deeper cooperation with BRICS.

Malaysia’s balanced approach would be similar to the one of the BRICS countries, i.e., India’s non-alignment policy, allowing the country to maintain positive relationships with both Eastern and Western powers while safeguarding its sovereignty.

A prime example of Malaysia’s success in balancing its diplomatic priorities is its steadfast support for the Palestinian people. Despite its strong ties with Western countries, Malaysia has consistently championed Palestinian rights, earning respect in both the Middle East and the international community, while maintaining good diplomatic relations with countries like the United States.

This demonstrates Malaysia’s ability to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics while staying true to its core values and principles.

ASEAN members like Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam also recognise the potential of BRICS to contribute to economic development and reduce dependence on Western financial systems as evidenced by Indonesia's engagement with the New Development Bank (NDB) for infrastructure projects, Thailand's participation in BRICS trade, investment and tourism initiatives and Vietnam’s consideration to engage with groups like BRICS while maintaining its independent foreign policy.

While these countries see the promise of BRICS as an alternative to the dominance of Western institutions, there remains a critical challenge in aligning BRICS’ objectives with ASEAN’s cohesion. Some members fear that closer ties with BRICS could complicate intra-ASEAN unity and disrupt the region's collective strategy in dealing with global economic challenges.

However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addressed this concern when he reiterated the importance of regional unity, stating, “ASEAN must remain central to the region’s stability while adapting to a multipolar world”.

Vision for a balanced, inclusive, sustainable ASEAN

This statement reflects Malaysia’s vision for ASEAN’s future – one that is balanced, inclusive and sustainable, where regional prosperity thrives through internal cooperation and global engagement.

Malaysia’s leadership is built on the success of delicately balancing between maintaining strong ties with global powers such as the United States and China while promoting ASEAN’s collective interests.

Malaysia’s ability to maintain this balance will be crucial as it leads ASEAN in 2025, ensuring that the region remains united despite shifting global power dynamics.

Experts like Dr Parag Khanna highlight Southeast Asia’s strategic role in global geopolitics, with Malaysia well-positioned to guide ASEAN through this changing landscape.

Moving forward, Malaysia must take proactive steps to institutionalise an ASEAN-led approach to BRICS engagement, advocating for clear frameworks that align ASEAN’s collective interests with the opportunities presented by BRICS.

This can be done through Malaysia’s role as a critical dialogue partner between competing superpowers to ensure regional stability.

-- BERNAMA

Manishahz Sangkar is Research Officer at the Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations Malaysia.