Amid rising China-US rivalry, PM says Malaysia must be fiercely independent

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasised that Malaysia must be fiercely independent as a sovereign nation and should not be forced to choose sides in the escalation of rivalry between the United States and China.

Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit 2023 in Singapore yesterday, Anwar wanted Malaysia to maintain close relationships with both the US and China, in accordance with the current Asean policy.

“This idea is that you have to be either with China or the US. No, why should we suffer and be told what to do?

“I mean, we must be fiercely independent as an independent nation,” he said during the special session titled ‘A Conversation with Prime Minister of Malaysia,’ that was live streamed online.

When asked whether other Asean nations might lose out to Vietnam due to its willingness to take a stand by siding with the US, Anwar said he was not particularly worried.

He noted that Malaysia’s relations with the US government, investors, and companies remain strong.

“I don’t foresee much problem. President Joe Biden chose to visit Vietnam – good for Vietnam a er they endured so much suffering in the past. It’s time for the US to give additional a ention to Vietnam.

“I have no problems about that,” he said.

According to media reports, the US and Vietnam recently agreed to elevate their relations to a ‘comprehensive strategic partnership,’ the Southeast Asian country’s highest diplomatic level, on par with what it has with China, Russia, India and South Korea.

On the other hand, Anwar expressed his concern about the US-China rivalry, saying Asean has a role to play by engaging both China and the US, and appealed for them to reduce tensions as it is affecting countries in this region. — Bernama