Anwar: Malaysia adopts a balanced foreign policy, stands clear of provocations

TheEdge Sun, Apr 28, 2024 07:27pm - 2 weeks View Original

RIYADH (April 28): Malaysia adopts a balanced foreign policy approach between the West and East and stands clear of any sort of position that is deemed provocative, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday.

He said Putrajaya engaged well with the United States and Europe, and at the same time maintains excellent bilateral relations with China, South Korea and Japan.

“We engage and depend on the support, collaboration and investments from the West, such as the United States and Europe, while at the same time maintain excellent bilateral relations with China, (South) Korea and Japan.”

"Especially with China, as there has been growing investments and interest,” he said at the Special World Economic Forum’s (WEF) opening plenary session, titled "A New Vision for Global Development".

Cumulatively, the United States stands as number one in terms of total investments in Malaysia, and China has increasingly has become one of the major investors.

Malaysia, he said, is very clear of not entering into any sort of a position that is deemed provocative against one another.

“We welcome investments based on our rules and will not enter into any sort of decision that is deemed to be provocative."

Anwar, who is also the country's finance minister, said the balancing act is not an easy feat for a small emerging economy.

“I think so far, we have managed,” he said.

“We have to navigate very wisely and we are fortunate because there is somewhat an Asean consensus on this, though not in full because of different strengths but at least within the Asean mechanism, there has been this sort of a position that we maintain our neutrality."

Anwar highlighted the need for broader engagements with the African, Latin American and Middle East nations, pointing out that major economies tend to dictate terms and frequently exhibit condescension.

“We cannot do it alone and we will have to engage,” he said.

He said that within Asean, despite some minor differences on foreign policy issues, the focus, engagement and bilateral relationships between member countries are excellent.

“So we do not have any issues, having to work together as a team. And that's why Asean happens to be now among one of the most cohesive forces, a sub-regional force in the world. And we are now focusing more on trade investments and intra-trade investments,” he said.

On geopolitical issues, Anwar said that despite the complex situation affecting the Middle East, particularly the anger and frustration over the Gaza crisis, the economies of Muslim countries should not be affected.

Anwar commended Saudi Arabia for hosting the meeting and urged the kingdom to continue playing a role in engaging with developing and emerging economies, especially those within the Muslim community.

“The issue (Palestine) is important and is fundamental to us, but at the same time, we have to survive. The economy has to be strong and the fundamentals need to be built,” he said.

Themed “Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development”, the two-day meeting convenes more than 1,000 global leaders from 92 countries, including heads of state and government, thought leaders from public and private sectors, as well as international organisations, academic institutions and non-governmental organisations.

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