Recent comments by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recognizing Taiwan as part of China have reignited questions about the country’s long-standing policy of non-alignment. Amid the rivalry between the United States and China, discussion has begun over whether Kuala Lumpur is gradually leaning toward Beijing.
A section of analysts, however, say Anwar’s remarks should not be read as a direct signal of a shift in Malaysia’s strategic position. Alongside its close economic ties with China, Malaysia also maintains strong defense and trade relationships with the United States and other Western countries.
In an interview with Al Jazeera earlier this month, Anwar said he views Taiwan as “part of China.” In his words, the matter is “recognized everywhere.”
Controversy soon followed over another of his remarks, however. Asked whether he would condemn Beijing if it used force against Taiwan in the absence of a peaceful “reunification,” Anwar drew a comparison with Malaysia itself.
He said that if any Malaysian state attempted to secede, he would use force to protect the country’s “integrity and unity.” China welcomed Anwar’s remarks. A spokesperson for the country’s foreign ministry said Taiwan is “an inseparable part of China’s territory,” adding that China must and will be reunified.
Taiwan’s government, on the other hand, condemned Anwar’s remarks. It fears that Anwar’s “one-sided support” for China could negatively affect the confidence of Taiwanese businesses investing in Malaysia.
Taiwan is the world’s largest chip manufacturer, and its companies hold major investments in Malaysia’s important semiconductor industry. Responding later to questions from local media, Anwar offered some clarification of his remarks. He said Malaysia respects China’s position, but that Kuala Lumpur wants a peaceful resolution to tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Fresh concern over Sabah
Just days after his remarks on Taiwan, Anwar drew fresh attention by calling for strengthened defense in Sabah, Malaysia’s state on the island of Borneo.
He cited the development of military installations in neighboring Philippines with US assistance as a reason for this. In his view, this makes it necessary for Malaysia to increase its defense spending.
The Philippines is currently modernizing military installations on Balabac Island, located roughly 50 kilometers from Malaysia’s Banggi and Balambangan islands.
Balabac has recently been brought under the US-Philippines “Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement,” or EDCA, granting US forces access to certain installations there.
Anwar’s remarks have brought an old question back to the fore among Western analysts. Some believe Malaysia is drifting away from the West and growing closer to China.
Growing economic ties with China
China’s economic influence in Malaysia has grown significantly in recent years. China is currently the country’s largest trading partner.
Malaysia is also one of the biggest beneficiaries of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and various other investment projects. Malaysia’s position also differs from that of Western countries on several geopolitical issues, one example being the conflict in the Middle East. Malaysia is known as a sharp critic of Israel, and under Anwar’s leadership, the country’s opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza has grown even stronger.
Some analysts, however, do not see these factors as evidence of a strategic tilt toward China. Chi Meng Tan, an assistant professor of business economics at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, said Malaysia’s recognition of Taiwan as part of China is nothing new. Its foundation was laid in a joint statement issued by then-Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak when Malaysia established diplomatic relations with China in 1974.
What is new, in his view, is Anwar’s comment on the possibility of using force. He noted that such a position isn’t directly required under a “One China” policy. Tan added that Anwar’s possible visit to China in September should also be taken into account — he may have made the remarks partly in an effort to keep Beijing satisfied.
An old dispute with the Philippines over Sabah
Analysts believe Anwar’s concern over the US military presence in Balabac is also connected to Malaysia’s long-running Sabah dispute with the Philippines.
The Philippines has claimed the region ever since Sabah became part of Malaysia in 1963. Malaysia has consistently rejected that claim.
Manila reiterated its claim to Sabah as recently as this past February. The Philippines argues that its 2024 Maritime Zones Act upholds its “existing and legitimate claim” over part of Sabah.
Malaysia filed a formal protest at the United Nations over the matter in July, alleging that the Philippines’ extended continental shelf claim encroaches on Sabah’s waters.
According to Professor Tan, Anwar’s comments on boosting the military presence in Balabac could be seen not as a pro-China stance, but as a “natural reaction to protecting one’s own border.”
Defense ties with the West remain intact
Another reason behind the push to boost defense capacity in Borneo is the South China Sea. Malaysia is also among the claimant countries in that disputed sea. Despite its dispute with China, Malaysia has been comparatively less vocal on the issue than the Philippines.
Even so, given China’s growing military capability, Kuala Lumpur has kept its defense relationships with Western countries strong.
One example of this is the Five Power Defence Arrangements, or FPDA, which includes Malaysia alongside Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
It is not a binding defense treaty, but member states have committed to consulting each other in the event of an armed attack on Malaysia or Singapore. Two major annual military exercises, “Bersama Shield” and “Bersama Lima,” are held under the arrangement.
The FPDA’s air defense operations are headquartered at a Malaysian air base in Butterworth, Penang, led by a senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Australia also has a rifle company stationed in Butterworth, and conducts regular maritime security operations in Malaysia through the deployment of maritime patrol aircraft.
Analysts say that, as a key member of the FPDA, Malaysia is helping maintain a Western military presence in the region. This also serves as a kind of quiet deterrent for Kuala Lumpur against potential aggression.
Close to China, but not allied
Alongside its defense relationships with the United States and Western countries, Malaysia is also benefiting from continued Western investment.
Daniel Loebel, a researcher at Northwestern University in the United States, said Malaysia has maintained diverse economic relationships with various countries, which is why it has not become deeply allied with any single major power.
In his view, the US remains just as important economically as China, so he does not believe Malaysia is trying to build a closer alliance with China.
Loebel further said Taiwanese firms continue to maintain major investment in Malaysia’s semiconductor industry, something Anwar is aware of and welcomes.
Taken together, while Anwar’s recent remarks on Taiwan have intensified discussion of Malaysia’s tilt toward China, the overall imprint of balance in the country’s foreign and security policy remains clear. According to a section of analysts, Kuala Lumpur’s strategy for now appears to be deepening economic ties with China while maintaining its defense and trade relationships with the West.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report