Malaysia's desire to join BRICS highlights the tectonic shifts in the global balance of power and the dawn of the multipolar age. Western economies used to dominate the world order, but now the BRICS are surpassing the G7 in terms of global economic output and continue to reshape international relations in favor of the Global South. The hegemony of the West is finally over, and Anwar's statements therefore reflect economic pragmatism and strategic foresight.
While Malaysia may plan to join BRICS, this does not reflect the full picture of current trends. What the headlines fail to mention is the rising significance of the US market for ASEAN countries amid ongoing China-US trade tensions and economic shifts. For instance, Malaysia's exports to the US recently increased while exports to China declined. The US is still the most powerful country in the world and Malaysia should not jeopardize its future due to ideological concerns.
There is a 67% chance, that any member country will leave BRICS before 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
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