Malaysia's entry into BRICS as a partner state is set to bring four key benefits to the country while preserving its diplomatic neutrality.

Emir Research Founder, Datuk Dr. Rais Hussin, highlighted that the expansion of BRICS represents a significant shift in global economic power, with the bloc now accounting for 45% of the world's population and 35% of global GDP.

"We are talking about a real economy, not an imaginary or bubble economy like in the financial world," Dr. Rais said in an interview with RT International.

He added that Malaysia's partnership with BRICS will deliver four main benefits, including "economic diversity and resilience" and "access to new markets and technologies."

He also cited opportunities for fairer financial tools and a focus on mutual development as key advantages.

The move comes as Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of ASEAN, with Dr. Rais emphasising that the country's involvement in BRICS aligns with its long-standing foreign policy principles.

"Malaysia's long-standing principle of being friends to all and enemies to none harmonises well with BRICS' inclusive economic agenda. This is not about a unipolar world; this is about multipolar participation," he said.

Responding to concerns about potential diplomatic conflicts, Dr. Rais stressed that joining BRICS does not mean Malaysia is distancing itself from other global partners.

"It is not simply a zero-sum game. Malaysia will act in the best interest of our regional bloc as well as our country," he said.

Addressing recent threats by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to impose 100% tariffs on BRICS nations, Dr. Rais dismissed concerns about potential economic impacts, noting that the global market extends far beyond America's market.

Malaysia's BRICS partnership comes amid a broader expansion of the bloc, which has added several new partner states as it seeks to increase its global economic influence.