VLADIVOSTOK, 6 SEPT – BRICS is an important mechanism to reduce countries’ dependence on the dollar, said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in an interview with a Russian news agency. RIA Novosti and broadcasters RT, report Sputnik.
“The issue of using the local currency that we did before with China, Indonesia and to a certain extent with Thailand, is now being discussed with India.
“We still depend on the dollar, but at least to reduce the impact, we have to do it. And BRICS is certainly another mechanism to achieve that goal,” said Anwar outside the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) conference.
BRICS is important to strengthen cooperation among countries in the Global South as well as curb pressure from rich industrialized countries, said Anwar.
“We really appreciate the fact that President (Vladimir) Putin has officially invited me to attend the BRICS meeting in Kazan next month.
“Our policy is of course to strengthen the Global South. BRICS is a very important mechanism to strengthen such cooperation among countries in the Global South.
“Not to provoke enmity, but at least to curb pressure from richer industrialized countries in addition to building common strength,” he said.
Anwar emphasized that the Global South must organize a strategy to become stronger to withstand the pressures faced.
“We also need to organize to be stronger, to be able to withstand the pressure that is beyond our control. That to me, is wisdom,” said the leader. – Named
