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

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: A new vision for global development.

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 Finance Minister, said that for a small emerging economy, the balancing act is not an easy feat.

“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.”