Setting the story straight on Malaysia's foreign policy

Nation must align with China and Muslim countries but also partner with West

Fikry A. Rahman and Karisma Putera Abd Rahman

December 9, 2024 05:05 JST

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim waves a national flag as he leaves the National Day parade in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Aug. 31. © AP

Fikry A. Rahman is head of foreign affairs and Karisma Putera Abd Rahman is a senior analyst at Bait Al Amanah, a research institute based in Kuala Lumpur.

Under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's foreign policy has drawn criticism for appearing to shift away from the West and align closer to China. These observations partly stem from Malaysia's intent to join the BRICS grouping of nations, its nonconfrontational response on the South China Sea, and its outspoken position on the Palestine-Israel war.