Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized his country’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with both China and the U.S. during the Nikkei annual conference in Tokyo. Anwar stated that China is an important neighbor due to its economic and military growth. He expressed a desire for Malaysia to engage with both China and the United States, highlighting the strategic importance of China to the region. Anwar stressed the importance of continued engagement with China while maintaining relationships with other key countries in the region.
During the conference, Anwar reiterated Malaysia’s stance of not having a “China-phobia” policy and expressed hopes for both China and the U.S. to resolve their differences. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and urged the U.S. to abandon protectionism and respect competitiveness. Anwar’s comments reflect Malaysia’s goal of maintaining diplomatic relations with both major powers while promoting peaceful resolution of conflicts and cooperation among nations in the region.
Anwar also met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during his visit to Tokyo, where both leaders agreed to further strengthen cooperation between their countries. This cooperation includes areas such as maritime security, energy transition, cyber security, and supply chain resilience. The bilateral ties between Malaysia and Japan were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year, indicating a deepening of relations between the two countries.
Japan, a key U.S. ally in the region, has been increasing security and economic ties with ASEAN countries in response to China’s growing influence, viewed as a threat by Tokyo. Anwar’s meeting with Prime Minister Kishida underscores the importance of regional cooperation and solidarity in addressing shared challenges and promoting stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Malaysia’s engagement with Japan and other regional partners reflects a commitment to fostering peace and security in the region.
Anwar also called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, defending his recent meeting with leaders of the militant group in Doha as an effort to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He criticized the U.S. for not doing enough to end the violence and emphasized the importance of pursuing a peaceful resolution and respecting the two-state solution. Anwar highlighted the recent wave of pro-Palestinian student protests in the U.S. as a sign of a “systemic shift” in how the conflict is perceived and urged for continued efforts to promote peace and justice in the region.
Overall, Anwar Ibrahim’s statements and interactions during the conference in Tokyo demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to engaging with major powers such as China and the U.S. while also working towards regional cooperation and peace. His calls for resolving conflicts, promoting dialogue, and addressing humanitarian crises reflect Malaysia’s diplomatic efforts to contribute to stability and security in the region. Malaysia’s relationships with countries like Japan and its support for peaceful resolutions to conflicts further underscore its role as a key player in regional affairs.
