Akmal Azhar
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to multilateralism, highlighting that the country is expanding its trade and investment partnerships to open new markets. In an interview with China’s CGTN, Anwar said Malaysia’s initial engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), following an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping, has already delivered positive results and encouraged further cooperation.
Strengthening ASEAN and Beyond
Anwar emphasized that Malaysia is encouraging its ASEAN neighbours to deepen trade and investment ties while diversifying their market base. He stressed that ASEAN and the ASEAN+ framework — which includes China, Korea, Japan, and others — remain vital, but it is equally important to create new mechanisms such as the SCO and BRICS to enhance collaboration.
Broader Participation in Regional Summits
Looking ahead to the ASEAN Summit in October, Anwar noted that the participation of countries such as Brazil, South Africa, Italy, and Canada marks a significant milestone for regional cooperation.
Infrastructure Expansion with Thailand
Anwar also reiterated Malaysia’s readiness to potentially extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) by 25 kilometres northward to reach the Thai border, depending on negotiations with Thailand’s new or current administration.
EV Push with China’s Geely
On the automotive front, Anwar highlighted Malaysia’s advantage in tapping into China’s success in electric vehicles through Proton’s long-standing collaboration with Geely. He revealed that discussions with Geely chairman Li Shufu have taken place, backed by strong government support from both countries. Geely is preparing for a major expansion into Malaysia’s automotive hub, initially producing hybrid vehicles before moving into full electric vehicle production.
Zakirin
