KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stood by his remarks on Taiwan despite backlash, stating that Malaysia remains committed to the one-China policy.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia had adhered to the policy since the administration of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and would continue to uphold that position.
“In my view, the policy remains and we will continue to uphold it. However, we want to seek a peaceful path whenever possible,” he told reporters after launching the TikTok Shop Summit Malaysia 2026.
In a recent interview with an international media outfit, the Prime Minister had said that he saw Taiwan as part of China.
“It is one China. It is accepted by all,” he had said.
Elaborating further, Anwar argued that China’s position on Taiwan was consistent with the United States’ refusal to allow any of its territories to secede.
He defended the comparison he had made involving the United States, saying he was merely taking a consistent position on territorial integrity.
“I believe that position is correct. As I pointed out, the US itself went through a war and did not permit any of its territories to break away.
“I was therefore merely taking a consistent position,” he said.
Anwar said that Malaysia respected China’s position but believed a peaceful resolution remained the best course.
He said Malaysia’s position was neither new nor unusual, adding that the one-China policy was accepted within the United Nations.
“If we look at it, China is recognised as one country, while the other is referred to only as Taiwan. Therefore, what I stated was nothing new,” he said.
He suggested that the way the issue was raised or emphasised during his interview might have prompted the negative reaction.
“It was perhaps the way the matter was asked or highlighted that triggered the backlash,” he said.
