KUALA LUMPUR: The government has conducted a detailed study on all implications of Malaysia joining the intergovernmental organisation BRICS, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

During the prime minister’s question time in Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar said while Malaysia has different views from other member countries of BRICS on certain issues, the matter should not hinder the country’s participation in joining the organisation.

“The government took a bit of time to study the possibilities and implications (of Malaysia joining BRICS) and when we see other Asian countries that are also in the APAC and OECD participating in BRICS, there is no reason why Malaysia should be excluded from such considerations.

“The same goes with our relationship with other countries, including the Western countries where we do not agree on everything. There are disagreements, such as our differences in opinion regarding the Gaza issue but this does not mean we should cut off our relationships.

“Similarly, China and Russia have different systems but they are both close to us. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India too have economic trade agreements with the United States and European countries that are not part of BRICS,” he said in Dewan Rakyat, today.

Anwar said this in response to a supplementary question from Datuk Sri Doris Sophia Bordi who enquired whether the government has implemented a thorough study on Malaysia’s participation in BRICS due to different policies and stances with member countries.