KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (IslamOnline.net) - After Indonesia, Russia, with its President Vladimir Putin at the forefront, is now putting hope on Malaysia, where he is on a two day official visit, in its bid to conquer part of the markets in South East Asia (SEA) and seal new friendship with countries that opposed the United States in its war against Iraq.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that Malaysia is very interested to act as a "springboard" for Russian goods into the region, giving new breath to the Russians in a region where they are not particularly in demand.

"We are very keen to become the gateway for Russian products in the region," he said during a question and answer session at the Malaysia-Russia Business Forum, the Bernama news agency reported Tuesday, August 5.

Russian goods in the South East Asian region are associated with military equipment, such as fighter jets, tanks and bombs as well as missiles. The giant nation is not known for its consumer or heavy industry goods.

By offering the doors of Malaysia as springboard for Russian goods, Dr Mahathir showed that the majority Muslim nation was effectively heading away from its traditional suppliers and partners in international trade.

During his visit to Russia last year, Mahathir called on the former super power to get back on its saddle and regain its position as a super power so that the US would not be the lone super power on earth.

Mahathir said that trade between Malaysia and Russia is currently limited where Malaysia buys some steel, aircraft and other related products from Putin’s country.

On the other hand, very few Malaysian products made it to Russia, despite the country's wide range of exports, Mahathir said, adding that bilateral trade should be fair as much as possible and at the same time there should also be balance.

However, Mahathir made it clear that it was important that both countries knew what each has to offer, probably indicating that Malaysia would prefer to be an active partner with the Russians in international trade.

He said bilateral trade did not just involve buying and selling but also the transfer of technology.

"When we have more trade, it is inevitable that the exchange of knowledge will be enhanced.

"We believe Russia has sufficient scientific and technological know-how which Malaysia desires to have," he added.

Two months ago, the Russian and Indonesian government signed a trade agreement that would allow the Indonesian military to purchase parts and other military equipment, including Sukhoi aircrafts and submarines, from the former Communist empire.

Russia had a fall off with its traditional ‘military’ supplier, the United States after it refused to give support to Washington over its illegal invasion of Iraq and its brutal removal of the Saddam Hussein regime in Baghdad.

Malaysia too indicated that it would seek other partners in trade and investment, ushering a new trend in international business and politics where several countries are trying to find similar platforms in a bid to prevent the US from dominating international markets and politics after its war over Iraq.

Germany and France are other potential allies to South East Asian nations willing to find new partners in trade, industry, economy and international politics in what observers call a new alignment of forces in the world.

The Germans has already visited Malaysia and some other SEA nations and snatched some fruitful deals in terms of trade and investment.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister said that his country was keen to deal with Russia and urged businessmen from both countries to pay regular visits to each other in order to cement relations and thus, enhanced business between Malaysia and Russia.

Mahathir also said that at one stage, Malaysia exported automobiles which are made in Malaysia to Russia but due to some problems, the deal was terminated.

"We think the Russians don't use many cars as they should," the ageing premier said.