However, Dr Alan Chong, Senior Fellow at Singapore’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, described BRICS as an “alternative leadership loop when it comes to international management”.
Taking the example of Malaysia’s interest to join the grouping, Dr Chong said that it can “be a way to get ( the country’s ) foreign policy lifted up in a very exceptional way”.
He added:” Now, ( Mr Anwar ) is trying to use this international spotlight that he’s quietly cultivated all these years to good effect for Malaysia. And why not? He’s succeeded in restarting the stalled exclusive relationship with China under the Belt and Road initiative, which is all well.
POSSIBLE OVERDEPENDENCE IN CHINA
But, Mr. Bhima warns about the effects of ASEAN joining the BRICS, claiming that it may give China a greater part in the South China Sea discord and the US-China trade war.
” Apart from that, in a political environment, countries in ASEAN may prevent criticising China’s increase of the issue in the Taiwan Strait as well as sympathetic issues such as Xinjiang/Uighur”, said Mr Bhima.
Beyond that, Mr. Bhima noted that there may be concerns about an overdependence on China in a variety of ways, particularly from an economic standpoint.
” It is actually quite difficult because China is struggling with its home problems and is experiencing slow domestic demand for at least the following two to three years.
” China’s economy, which is expected to decrease down, will also have an effect on the economic growth of countries in the ASEAN place, “he said.
Dr Liow, however, said that elections within BRICS itself could prove to be a deterrent.
There are significant challenges as well, such as the participation of nations like Saudi Arabia and Iran, where their diplomatic relationships are difficult, or China and India, or other countries that face challenges. Politicians can easily come into the photo in a way that makes the potential ( of the clustering ) difficult to understand, “he said.
While some Southeast Asian nations have expressed an interest in joining the BRICS, people have kept their candor.  ,
The scholar, Mr. Bhima, believes that the relationship between the nations and those in the BRICS alliance is ultimately at the heart of the matter.
Singapore believes that it has already become a hub for many Taiwanese companies for investment and economic activity without joining the BRICS. Additionally, it may be concerned about China and various BRICS nations ‘ bilateral and multilateral agreements being duplicated.
” Nevertheless, the Philippines is more influenced by the issue of the South China Sea fight, so it is keeping its distance from China”, said Mr Bhima.
While China may have an “informal” voting energy within the union, Dr. Chong, the Senior Fellow at RSIS, stated that it would wish that “its association with Russia does not result in a bad position within BRICS.”
But, Mr. Bhima thinks that the bloc’s appeal will continue to see its growth given the potential financial advantages it may bring.
” Many countries may be interested in joining the BRICS if big countries like China and India offer real expense packages, lower several export barriers to BRICS nations, boost the knowledge exchange event between democratic party leaders, and give more certainty about mega-project loans that are in line with the national agenda,” he said.