KEYNOTE SPEECH

 

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

 

FOR

 

PLENARY SESSION

OF THE XVI INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC FORUM “RUSSIA – ISLAMIC WORLD: KAZANFORUM 2025”

 

16 MAY 2025 (FRIDAY)

1430 HRS

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER “KAZAN EXPO”

KAZAN. THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN

 

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

 

Alhamdulillahirabbil alamain,

Nahmaduhu wa nusalli ‘ala Rasulihil al-Karim.

Wa’ala alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in.

 

Deputy Prime Minister, Manat Krishnulin of the Russian Federation,

 

Respected leader of the Turkmen people, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow,

 

My dear brother Rais Rustam Minnikhano,

 

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.

 

We are in the land of the Tatars. And who else can describe the strength, the brilliance, the energy, to quote Leo Tolstoy in Haji Murat first page; What energy and tenacity? He compared the people and the resilience, the diligence, the toughness to a disciplined, sturdy, swelled with black mud and yet cartwheel passed over the plant, yet the Tatars stood firm and did not surrender to men. I salute Rais and the people. That’s why you see this spirit in Tatarstan with the Russian Federation changing the course of the history, leading the voice of for the Muslim world, collaborating for new venture to strengthen our economic fundamentals, to embark on a new journey, food security, digital, petro chemicals or all fields of activity.

 

I admire the tenacity and the dynamism as reflected by you Rais and the people of Tatarstan, may we learn from another and build up from this strength. And in Tarmush, your great national poet, the pride of the Tatars, Gabdulla Mukhamedgarifovich Tukay wrote in 1908, (Bor tarmush kan bilan tutkar talasthan subhush sin he ker ter armas Turkamastan). So of course, I am excited to be here. Forgive me for the pronunciation, I have to spend a few days to improve. But there’s a spirit, never surrender, having that courage, facing the new challenges; new tariffs, sanctions, geopolitical pressures will not deter us. And let us therefore work together to strengthen our fundamentals, which of course, begin with the economy.

 

That is why the issue of embracing the halal adventure is very critical, is more than 3 trillion dollars operations from the Gulf countries to the Middle East to Africa to Asia, we should then formalize and strengthen the situation. Then the Islamic finance not a matter of adopting just what you call as “riba” fee, but to enter into new innovation, so that it offers an alternative and economically viable for the Muslim world and also the participation of non-Muslims in our societies and in non-muslim countries.

 

But beyond that, as we know the new challenges energy transition Malaysia is fortunate because we have in among our neighbors within ASEAN excellent relations based on trust and working together. And as you know, ASEAN happens to be one of the most peaceful regions in the world, one of the most dynamic, vibrant and dynamic economically. And we therefore embark on some practical measures like the ASEAN power grid crossing from Vietnam into Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and for Sarawak, Sabah, Indonesia to the Philippines and Brunei. You can see therefore the spirit working together. Non-Muslim countries among neighbors would have immensely to uplift the living standards of our people.

 

The other dictate is of course, digital transformation. The leader of human people mentioned about artificial intelligence. The faster we embrace it, the more secure we will be. Yes, there is a difference. I’m not talking about economic fundamentals, energy transition and digital transformation in the absence of imbibing values character. Because after all, how do we honour, laugh and follow the deeds of Muhammad SAW because of values and character, ‘Wa innaka la’ala khuluqin ‘adzim.

 

So, the issue before us, for the young and for us to make sure that there is a difference, family values is important, trust, justice, honor, human dignity is important. That is where we reject the absence of a moral code, the hypocrisy of living thousands and thousands of people, women and children killed daily in Gaza. Why? Because we believe in human dignity irrespective whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims.

 

So, excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, although we do emphasize on the issue of collaboration on Muslim countries, which I have talked for decades, but by the slow in executing the plan. But thank you again the Republic of Tatarstan for taking the initiative. And I am personally impressed because while meeting President Vladimir Putin, here comes the president who mentioned repeatedly the need to support this forum, the need to ensure that this forum is more pragmatic, meaningful, to strengthen the force among Muslim countries.

 

 

So, thank you, Rais, and convey my respects to the President for the support he has given. Of course, there are towns ulama’, intellectuals, political leaders here have deliberated these issues a number of times. And I’ve suggested in the strategic meeting this morning that for the youth, we should follow up, let our young boys and girls reflect upon what we have discussed and to offer more suggestions, express their support or disagreement so that the voice of the youths are not only heard but taken into various see very serious consideration, because we must ensure that the young feel and know that in our articulation of issues and decision in terms of our priorities, they will have a major say to affect programs that affect the young.

 

So, thank you very much again, Republic of Tatarstan, and I wish you well. And here, all the way from Malaysia, just express my support and admiration for all the good work and effort to strengthen our resolve. Thank you.

 

Assalammualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.