Introduction
It has been several months since my last contribution to RIAC, and I must begin with a small apology for the silence. The pause was necessary: I was completing my transition from serving as Chief Executive Officer of two Malaysian foundations to taking up a full-time secondment to the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. This new assignment has allowed me to return to a country that has long been close to ...
Introduction
It has been several months since my last contribution to RIAC, and I must begin with a small apology for the silence. The pause was necessary: I was completing my transition from serving as Chief Executive Officer of two Malaysian foundations to taking up a full-time secondment to the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Government of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. This new assignment has allowed me to return to a country that has long been close to ...
By Eugene Fransua Arokiasamy, CEO & Nao Margaret Samuel, Special Senior Advisor (Agentic AI), MyProdigy and Women’s Social Foundations of Malaysia
Isn’t it remarkable how far society has come? When I first received my blog page on the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) platform in 2014, I was one of only eight contributors, and the first from Asia. At that time, I was using ...
Author: Eugene F. Arokiasamy (CEO) and Nao Margaret Samuel (Special Senior Advisor to the CEO) MyProdigy Foundation of Malaysia
This special interview with Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian, Executive Chairman of the MyProdigy Foundation of Malaysia, follows his recent presentation at the Vitality Session during the Kazan Forum 2025. But this article does more than ...
... has not been fully unlocked” seems particularly apt
Before breaking down the results of Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Russia, it is important to describe the international context, which adds nuance and, in many ways, explains the logic behind the Malaysian prime minister’s visit.
First, this is the second trip to Russia for Anwar since he took office in 2022. The broad geography of his visits strikes the eye—from Vladivostok to, most recently, Moscow and Kazan. His “capital tour” in May ...
As a prelude to my new series of interviews with decision-makers (both in Government and members of opposition parties in Malaysia), personalities of influence and action, I write this article on how I believe Russia-Malaysia cooperation may be facilitated Malaysian inclusive nationhood development. In previous articles I have shared my thoughts, ideas and suggestions for ...
Offshore Energy Potential in the South China Sea
The South China Sea, long a hotbed of territorial disputes, has entered a new phase of tension with Malaysia, stepping up its oil and gas exploration despite mounting pressure from China. This move highlights the significance of the region’s untapped energy potential, estimated at around 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural ...
From a ‘Third Force’ to Diplomatic Conservatism
When Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in August 2018 it was revealed that President Vladimir Putin
was planning
to take part in the upcoming East Asia Summit (EAS) in Singapore this November. This will mark the first time that the Russian leader has attended the event since the country became full member of the EAS. Putin will also pay a state visit to Singapore and take part in the Fourth ASEAN–Russia...
... Information Sharing Centre (ISC) provided over ten years of service in information exchange, capacity building and cooperative arrangements, contributing to the realization of the mission and objectives of ReCAAP organisation.
marketwatch.com
As of now, Malaysia and Indonesia have not joined the program. Indonesian authorities consider ReCAAP as a ‘threat’ to the national sovereignty, and maritime piracy and armed robbery in its waters as primarily a domestic issue. ReCAAP is also viewed as a competitor ...
Analysts who focus on the Asia-Pacific have long been ranting that Russia is not paying enough attention to what is going on in the region, especially Southeast Asia. The ASEAN population is neither aware of what interests Russia nor understands how Russian particpation in their region could be of use.
At the same time, Russia may have a role to play in addressing these issues, so taking it into account may prove useful for Southeast Asian states.
We will start with an issue underreported everywhere...
