Overcoming the challenge from superpowers

At the 9th Malaysian Heads of Diplomatic Missions Conference on Sept 6 and 7, I spoke about two clusters of challenges that make up the contemporary world order; superpowers and main current developments.

These two clusters are fundamental, long-term, life-changing and interconnected. That connection contributes to the occurrence of a large number of other international problemsor highlights the weaknesses and gaps that exist in various sectors, which occur as a result of the two clusters.

The first challenge cluster - superpowers - refers to the habits and behavior of the superpowers on the international stage. Each of the five superpowers have their own habitsand behavior. Some seem to be silent and sometimes seem to be a voice representing a group of countries that are not major powers. Some are close friends with superpowers stronger than them and become its strong supporters.

Some are willing to do anything including war, but only to defend their territory of influence. Some are interested in dominating other countries, including distant ones amd doing things such as changing the government because they want to shape other countries according to their model, and they seem warlike. And some do various initiatives but do not want to fight to gain the place or influence they feel deserving.

Wars and conflicts that have been happening for a long time, whether they happen in a region, between two countries or within a country, usually break out, or become prolonged,or the process of resolution is interrupted as a result of goals or the influence of said habits and behaviours. These habits and behaviours extend beyond the political and security fields as they penetrate the fields of finance, trade, economy, socio-culture as well as the main current developments, namely climate change, technology and international architecture.

For a small country like Malaysia, the habits and behaviours of these superpowers often irritate the country and the region, which we want to continue as an independent andsovereign country as well as a peaceful, free and neutral region. Malaysia will continue its policy of neutrality and not take sides or join any bloc. We must be wise, including networking with like-minded countries in weathering the blow of this storm that has yet toreach the shores.

The second cluster of challenges - current major developments - are climate change dueto human actions, technological advances that are of great benefit but also involve humanistic issues, and unjust international architectures.

It will be discussed in this column next week.