KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaffirms Malaysia’s independent foreign policy stance, saying that while the nation prioritises maintaining strong ties with its neighbours, it remains firm in its refusal to overlook the root causes of current regional instability.
Responding to recent remarks by Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who stated that the republic would not negotiate for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Anwar said Malaysia’s diplomatic approach is guided by its own sovereign principles.
Balakrishnan had previously asserted that transit through such international waterways is a right under international law rather than a privilege to be granted by bordering states.
"That is Singapore's view. That is their affair. Our business is that we maintain good relations while taking a firm stand.
“We cannot discuss Iran’s response without also speaking about the cruel and barbaric attacks by Israel against Iran, supported by the United States.
“Our foreign policy is clear. We must maintain our friendships with neighbouring countries, but our position is firm,” Anwar told reporters when met after Friday prayer here on Friday (April 10).
The Prime Minister’s comments come as Malaysia is listed among several Asian nations whose vessels have been granted passage through the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces, following the outbreak of conflict in late February.
While Singapore has emphasised the legal right of transit passage codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Malaysia has balanced its maritime interests with a vocal critique of the broader geopolitical violence in the Middle East.
Turning to internal party matters, Anwar, who is also PKR president, called for calm following mounting pressure from party leaders to take disciplinary action against former deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli.
The Pandan MP was recently issued a second show-cause letter by the PKR disciplinary board over allegations of making negative remarks against the party leadership and the Prime Minister.
The accusations include claims that the president expects unquestioning loyalty from subordinates and allegations regarding the Prime Minister’s handling of high-profile integrity cases.
When asked for his advice to the party regarding the friction, Anwar urged members to look beyond internal disputes in favour of addressing national priorities.
"It is alright. We ask everyone to remain calm for now. The focus should be on the country’s economic problems as this is far more serious than personal issues,” he said.
