RIYADH: Malaysia adopts a balanced foreign policy approach between the East and the West and stays clear of any sort of position that is deemed provocative, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He said Putrajaya’s engagements with the US and Europe have been going well, and at the same time, it maintains excellent bilateral ties with China, South Korea and Japan.
“We engage with and depend on the support, collaboration and investments from the West, such as the US 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 interest and investments (from there),” he said at the World Economic Forum’s opening plenary session, “A new vision for global development”.
Malaysia, he said, will not take any sort of position that is deemed provocative by either group of countries.
Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said that for a small emerging economy, the balancing act is not an easy feat but “so far we have managed”.
“We have to navigate very wisely. We are fortunate because there is somewhat an Asean consensus on this.
“Although not in full because of different strengths but at least within the Asean mechanism, our position is that we maintain our neutrality,” he said.
‘Cannot do it alone’
Anwar also stressed the importance of engaging more extensively with African, Latin American, and Middle Eastern nations. He noted that major economies often impose their terms and display their superiority.
“We cannot do it alone and we have to engage (with others),” he said.
He added that within Asean, despite some minor differences on foreign policy issues, the focus, engagement and bilateral relationships between the member countries are excellent.
“So we do not have any issues in working together as a team. And that’s why Asean is now one of the most cohesive forces, as a sub-regional force, in the world. And we are now focussing more on trade investments and intra-trade investments,” he said.
On geopolitical issues, Anwar said 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.
He 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 as well as thought leaders from public and private sectors, international organisations, academic institutions and NGOs.
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