Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Russia comes amid global scrutiny over Russia’s actions in Ukraine and mounting pressure for a peace deal. With this visit, how does Malaysia’s stance viewed internationally? Dr. Julia Roknifard from Taylor's University weighs in.
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00:00Prime Minister Dato Osry on Ibrahim's visit to Russia comes amid global scrutiny over Russia's actions in Ukraine and mounting pressure for a peace deal.
00:10Following this, how is Malaysia's stance viewed internationally and where do we stand amid these geopolitical tensions?
00:17Joining us to unpack this is Dr. Julia Roknaved, Senior Lecturer at Taylor's University. Thank you so much, Dr. Julia.
00:24From a geopolitical perspective, how do you interpret the timing and significance of this trip?
00:54One panel, and you could see that the relationship between them is very cordial, where Vladimir Putin invited him to visit a bit later on BRICS summit also last year.
01:05However, on that trip, on that visit, for whatever reason, Anwar Ibrahim passed, and yet somehow it remained hanging in the air, this promise of Malaysian Prime Minister visiting Russia, maybe under similar circumstances.
01:22And now there is a good occasion for this visit. On the one hand, it does not appear to be that provocative, because Anwar Ibrahim is not visiting Russia together with other leaders who showed up in Moscow for the 9th of May victory day.
01:43And the parade, and the parade, something that also raised criticism from various borders, especially in the West, but then close enough to that date, and yet not provocative, and also to satisfy that invitation, to finally honor that invitation to visit Russia again.
02:06And also, and also, this visit is the first official visit, not considering visitation of the summit, and from France, since visit by Prime Minister Abu Dhabi in 2007.
02:22So, it's seen, indeed, as quite grand.
02:24And also, well, it plays well for Malaysia, which is chairing ASEAN this year, so Anwar Ibrahim gets to pose, not only in his personal capacity, and maybe not as much, even in his personal capacity, but as the Prime Minister of the country chairing ASEAN this year.
02:46Right. Now, Julia, Malaysia often asserts its neutral or non-aligned stance, but in a climate where neutrality can be seen as a tacit support, is this visit risking Malaysia's credibility, particularly among its Western partners, and also within ASEAN as well? What do you think?
03:06There is always a risk of polarization, especially in this polarized atmosphere in the international politics, but on, first, as I already said, Prime Minister Abu Dhabi is visiting Russia, also in his capacity as the Prime Minister of the country chairing ASEAN.
03:32I would say he went a little bit more far than just demonstrating neutrality in this.
03:41You can see there is a very positive, very warm dynamic between the two leaders.
03:48It was the same during the Eastern Economic Forum, and it seems to have grown since then.
03:53You can see that they are joking with each other, and it's really cordial and well-received in the audience.
04:03But at the same time, I don't think there is an intention to antagonize anybody, and it should be seen in line with Malaysia's policy of diversification and hedging in international environments.
04:18So it shouldn't be seen as an outright provocative step, because it's not that.