MANILA: Malaysia will remain fiercely independent in its foreign policy and will not allow its trade and investment ties with the United States to dictate its relations with other countries, including China, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said while Malaysia valued its economic relationship with Washington, such ties must not come at the expense of the country’s right to pursue an independent foreign policy.
“I gave an assurance. The United States happens to be Malaysia's number one trading partner and investment source, but that cannot preclude our decision to act independently and to engage with other countries, including China,” he said during a dinner held in conjunction with his working visit to the Philippines at the Malaysian embassy here on Sunday (Nov 15).
Anwar said he had recently had a conversation with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Malaysia’s policy concerning the use of data centres, semiconductor chips and artificial intelligence (AI).
He said the discussion centred on ensuring that such technologies would not be used to benefit other parties, although he did not elaborate on the specific concerns raised by Washington.
Anwar said he had provided assurances to Rubio but maintained that Malaysia’s economic cooperation with the United States must operate within the country’s national policy framework.
“But if their condition is that whatever investments from America do not compromise its interests, that is fair.
“You are an investor, you can decide what to do, but it must be through our framework, our national policy and the protection of our interests as a nation,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Malaysia’s approach reflected the broader principle of Asean centrality, which emphasised the importance of maintaining engagement with major powers amid growing geopolitical uncertainties.
He said the presence of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and US President Donald Trump at the Asean meetings underscored the importance of the region’s ability to maintain relations with competing global powers.
“We have to chart a course for the region in a somewhat turbulent period with geopolitical uncertainties,” he said.
Anwar said smaller countries and regional groupings must navigate such uncertainties carefully, particularly when there was no guarantee of support from all parties.
Turning to domestic priorities, Anwar said attracting foreign investments and strengthening economic growth must go hand in hand with good governance and efforts to combat corruption.
“There’s no point of getting more investments and getting more projects, and at the same time people abscond,” he said.
He reiterated his determination to ensure Malaysia was recognised not only for its vibrant economy but also for its firm stand against abuse of power and endemic corruption, which he said had caused hardship for ordinary people.
