Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is confirmed to attend the D-8 Summit, scheduled to be held in Jakarta next April. The announcement came from Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia, Dato’ Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, following a fast-breaking meal with the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta on Wednesday evening, March 4th.
Ambassador Hasrin emphasized the importance of the summit, stating, “God willing, PM (Anwar Ibrahim) will be present at the D-8 Summit.” The Malaysian Embassy is making preparations to ensure a smooth visit and active participation from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during the event. This attendance underscores Malaysia’s continued commitment to the D-8 economic cooperation group and its relationship with Indonesia.
The D-8 Summit will focus on navigating global economic shifts and promoting equality, solidarity, and cooperation for shared prosperity, according to Indonesia’s current chairmanship theme. Indonesia’s leadership of the D-8 for the 2026-2027 period is seen as a natural progression following its successful chairing of ASEAN in 2023, a point highlighted by Ambassador Hasrin in a previous interview with ANTARA on Tuesday, March 3rd.
Focus on MSME Development
A key priority for Malaysia during Indonesia’s D-8 leadership will be strengthening trade and investment, particularly within the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector. Ambassador Hasrin noted that Malaysia’s industrial strength is largely supported by MSMEs and expressed a desire for the D-8 to play a significant role in bolstering these businesses across member nations. “We want the D-8 to play a role in strengthening the potential of MSMEs in our country, as well as MSMEs in other D-8 countries,” he stated.
Malaysia consistently works to foster growth and investment among D-8 members through preferential trade agreements and collaborative business forums. The ambassador highlighted the importance of these initiatives in driving economic development within the group.
About the D-8 Organization
The D-8, established in 1997, is an economic cooperation organization comprising eight developing countries: Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey. The group aims to promote economic cooperation and enhance trade among its members. Azerbaijan is slated to become the ninth member in 2025.
Ambassador Hasrin also conveyed Malaysia’s ongoing support for Indonesia’s chairmanship of the D-8, emphasizing the importance of bilateral relations and cooperation within the organization. He expressed hope that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s participation in the summit will contribute to achieving Malaysia’s goals in these areas.
Indonesia’s chairmanship theme, “Navigating Global Shifts: Strengthening Equality, Solidarity, and Cooperation for Shared Prosperity,” reflects a commitment to adapting to evolving global economic dynamics and fostering inclusive and resilient growth.
As the D-8 Summit approaches, further details regarding the agenda and expected outcomes will be released. The event is anticipated to be a significant platform for discussing economic challenges and opportunities facing developing nations and for strengthening cooperation among D-8 member states.
The participation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signals Malaysia’s dedication to the D-8’s objectives and its commitment to fostering economic partnerships within the region. The summit in Jakarta next April will be a key moment for the organization as it navigates a changing global landscape.
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