SNAPSHOT | Anwar, Putin discuss expanding economic ties; Rosmah disappointed with Najib's pardon hearing deferment

KINI SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in the news today, with updates at 11am, 2pm, and 6pm.

11am

Brics

- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed expanding Malaysia-Russia economic ties during a bilateral meeting in New Delhi.

The 20-minute meeting, Anwar’s first bilateral engagement after arriving in India, covered cooperation in energy, aviation, palm oil, education and tourism.

“It was great. It was a great meeting! The rest tomorrow,” Anwar said when asked about the outcome.

The meeting comes as Malaysia seeks to use its Brics partnership to deepen trade and investment links with major emerging economies and broaden its engagement with the Global South.

- Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has proposed a special Malaysia-Russia mechanism to speed up the implementation of agreements between both countries, with Russian President Vladimir Putin agreeing to the proposal.

During their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Brics summit in New Delhi, the leaders also discussed Malaysian palm oil exports to Russia, direct flights and visa-free travel.

“I raised the need to expedite efforts to realise the direct flights between Malaysia and Russia, as well as visa-free travel arrangements that were agreed to previously,” Anwar said, Bernama reported.

They also discussed expanding energy cooperation, with Petronas having engaged Russian counterpart Rosneft and other companies.

Putin, meanwhile, described the 12.9 percent increase in bilateral trade last year as “a good pace”, while highlighting cooperation in education, science, technology and tourism.

Najib’s pardon

- Rosmah Mansor has expressed disappointment after former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s pardon application was deferred to a future Pardons Board meeting.

“As a wife, I am disappointed. Especially when I read the news that (former Sabah minister) Peter Anthony can return home. I am happy for his wife and their family.

“How am I supposed to explain this to my grandchildren about their hopes (for Najib’s pardon)? The only thing we can do is teach them to always pray and leave it to Allah.

“God willing, one day, there will surely be light at the end of the tunnel,” Berita Harian quoted her as saying.

Rosmah also thanked Najib’s supporters for their prayers and messages of support.

READ MORE: Pardons Board defers consideration of Najib's application

- Pakatan Harapan Wanita chief Aiman Athirah Sabu said public opposition to efforts to secure a royal pardon for former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak should not be construed as disrespect towards the royal institution.

In a statement responding to the Pardons Board’s decision to defer consideration of Najib’s royal pardon application, she said Malaysians were entitled to voice disagreement with such efforts.

“Objecting on principle is not treason. Demanding justice is not disrespectful. Defending the people’s trust is not hatred,” Aiman Athirah said.

She said critics could oppose a royal pardon while continuing to respect the royal institution, particularly where the case involved public funds and abuse of trust.

“The king does not belong to any political party. The country does not belong to any individual. The people’s money does not belong to those in power,” she added.

Aviation

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd expects three more international airlines to begin flying to Kuala Lumpur by year-end, on top of Lufthansa Airlines’ return in October.

MAHB managing director Izani Ghani said four international airlines in total are expected to launch Kuala Lumpur services from now until the end of the year.

“Including Lufthansa, we are expecting four international airlines from now until the end of the year. We will announce the details of the airlines soon,” he told Bernama.

MAHB said it remains mindful of weather and geopolitical risks, but air traffic improved in July and is expected to strengthen further.

The airport operator recorded 51 million passenger movements in Malaysia in the first half of 2026, up 1.8 percent year-on-year.

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