The PM discussed the issue of BRICS, Palestine with the former Minister of International Relations of South Africa

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia expressed its desire for South Africa to agree to support the country’s participation in the BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the matter was touched upon when he received a courtesy visit from the former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa, Dr Naledi Mandisa Pandor, at his office yesterday.

“In addition, I also touched on the need to fight for issues of interest to the developing countries of the Global South and the cooperation that should be played,” he said through a post on the Facebook page.

Dr Naledi is currently on a series of visits to Malaysia to attend the 7th World Islamic Thought and Civilization Conference organized by Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah in Perak.
BRICS was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for rapidly developing economies, including Brazil, Russia, India and China.

South Africa joined the bloc in 2010 before being followed by Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Prime Minister said the meeting also touched upon the latest situation in Palestine and the world’s inability to stop the oppression of its people.

Anwar said he also voiced Malaysia’s firm stance and strong condemnation of the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh.

At the end of the meeting, Dr Naledi presented Anwar with a piece of memorabilia of former South African President Nelson Mandela containing his notes and speeches while leading the republic.

He said the book was a bestseller in the market and continued the legacy of Nelson Mandela’s previous work, Long Walk to Freedom.