PM Anwar calls for Muslim countries to collaborate, not compete

Prime minister of Malaysia Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on Muslim countries to boost collaboration in business, investment and economics. 

At the Global Muslim Business Forum 2023 in Kuching, Sarawak, Anwar said that Muslim countries should work together instead of competing with each other. This is especially for neighboring countries such as Brunei, Indonesia and Thailand.

"We see the need to enhance collaboration, the need for inclusivity, to free ourselves from isolation and to see ourselves even among neighbours, opportunities to collaborate instead of competing," said Anwar. 

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"We are fortunate in Malaysia. We have neighbours - Indonesia - who have taken that position to collaborate and complement one another and not necessarily aggressively compete." 

Anwar later added that there were efforts in with Brunei and Thailand to foster better relationships, investment and trade, citing his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at the Thai-Malaysia border.

"Yesterday, I was with the new Thai prime minister at the border between Thailand and Malaysia to seek ways to further foster better relationships, investments and trade and facilitate the exchanges particularly in poor South Thailand and poor North Peninsula Malaya," said Anwar.

Anwar noted that the collaboration will benefit both countries greatly and that acceleration in fostering these relationships is necessary to not lose out in a global race.

"If the leadership takes initiative, I would like to accelerate the process. If we want to benefit from and not lose out in this race, we have to accelerate," added Anwar. 

"Although the prime minister is a Buddhist, and I am a Muslim, our common cause and commitment is to facilitate and accelerate this process as we have seen the collaboration with Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo."

At the forum, Anwar also called for further collaboration with Indonesia in the halal food sector.

"The need to further collaborate with Indonesia in this regard because in all these countries that I've visited from China to Vietnam to Thailand, without exception, all of them want to support and recognise halal certification and to support collaboration in terms of halal industry because of its huge market potential, not only in the Middle East but also in Europe, in theUnited States and in Africa," said Anwar. 

Prime minister Anwar has been focused on growing and boosting Malaysia's economy in recent months. In October this year, he said that clarity of policies is imperative in building confidence in foreign and domestic investors. 

In July, he stressed that the Malaysian economic structure would need to undergo a revamp in order to be a leader in Southeast Asia. He made these remarks during a speech about empowering Malaysia through the MADANI economy. 

Anwar wrapped up his forum speech by reemphasising the need for collaboration between political and business leaders.  

"I think the combination of political leadership and business community must work in tandem and continue its interfaith dialogue, understanding and collaboration because that happens to be something that we need to continue to propagate." 

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