Other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations [Asean) may well learn from how Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is navigating the dangerous waters of regional and global competition between the United States and China.
Anwar was in the news lately for two reasons, which when we analyze deeper, are actually related because they touch on geopolitics.
Reports said the Malaysian leader has raised concerns over the expansion of US military facilities in the Philippines, particularly in Balabac, Palawan which is of course facing the South China Sea. Note that Anwar specifically cited American military bases and personnel. He promised to strengthen their defense infrastructure in Sabah amidst growing regional security concerns.
Malaysia, just like other Asean countries, is currently like walking on a high wire trying to balance their relationships with both China and the United States, the two most powerful countries currently. It isn't a secret for Anwar that our very own President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has hinged the Philippines` present and future on America, a contravention of Asean`s original objective of leaning to non-alignment. Anwar would have nothing of that.
Lest we forget, Malaysia is also a primary claimant state in the South China Sea territorial and maritime disputes. Its claims overlap with other nations including China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan. Malaysia claims a large maritime zone in the southern part of the SCS off the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo, including the resource-rich Luconia Shoals.
Malaysia also claims about 10 maritime features such as reefs and shoals in the Spratly Islands chain, and maintains an active military presence on several of them.
Yet, unlike the Philippines, Malaysia maintains cordial relations with China. This is exactly the playbook Vietnam is following regarding its maritime dispute with China, and the resulting diplomatic and economic relations between these two countries and China have been outstandingly productive.
The second item on Anwar is his unqualified support for Beijing on the issue of Taiwan. Anwar Ibrahim recently told Al Jazeera that he views Taiwan as part of China, reiterating Malaysia`s long-time policy.
It was reported that Anwar compared the situation to what Malaysia might face if one of its regions attempted to separate from the country. He said he would be prepared to use force in such a scenario—a position that supports China President Xi Jinping on the Taiwan issue.
Anwar was correct when he pointed out that the West applies different standards when discussing China. While political divisions and separatist questions exist in other parts of the world, including Europe, Africa and North America, yet international attention is disproportionately focused on Beijing`s position toward Taiwan.
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