Malaysians Defend Anwar’s China Visit As Proactive Engagement
Anwar had been accused of being pro-China after meeting Chinese president Xi Jinping.
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There is an old Malay proverb, “gajah sama gajah berjuang, pelanduk mati di tengah-tengah” (when elephants fight each other, the mousedeer dies in the middle).
It is probably with that in mind that Malaysians came to the defence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is accused of being pro-China.
Anwar faced criticism after visiting China and meeting with President Xi Jinping recently.
Datuk Ahmad Azam Ab Rahman, who heads the Wadah Pencerdasan Umat Malaysia (WADAH), said Malaysia is a relatively small but dignified country.
Malaysia should defend its independent foreign policy and prioritize its strategic interests as the basis of trade and diplomatic relations with any country.
It should not get caught up in the geopolitical competition of great powers and be free to decide its position for the country’s survival.
He added that accusing Anwar of adopting a pro-China foreign policy is unfair simply because of his official visit there.
What if he visits the United States later on, will he be accused of being pro-American?
Datuk Ahmad Azam Ab Rahman to TRP on Anwar’s visit to China as Malaysia’s Prime Minister.
Ahmad Azam, also the Commissioner to the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), added that the narrative does not reflect Malaysia’s foreign policy.
He said Malaysia’s stance has been free and balanced according to the country’s strategic interests.
He added that the world’s geopolitics is no longer a unipolar axis where the United States is the axis.
The new reality is that the world is already multipolar, where China plays a big role in BRICS, a rival of the European Union and the United States.
Malaysia should be smart not to be dragged into the competition of this new world reality. In fact, Malaysia should be able to take advantage of it with a balanced and impartial policy.
Datuk Ahmad Azam Ab Rahman to TRP on the realities of geopolitics.
The Question Of Whether Malaysia Needs China
At the same time, netizens have also rallied for Anwar by taking it to social media.
They said Malaysia should not be caught in the geopolitical competition between the superpowers.
Sekarang Anwar di China. Jadi secara tidak langsung Anwar juga adalah pro komunis dan akan dapat duit pelaburan China. Kena pula Anwar jumpa Singapura menjadikan Anwar juga Pro Israel
— Tok Perak (@TokPerak8) March 30, 2023
Masa ke Arab Saudi Anwar dah jadi Wahabi juga.
Sikit lagi Pro Dajal juga
Some expressed hope that the current government would stay stable for the sake of bringing in foreign investment.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner consecutively for many years, and many Malaysian businesses have invested in China.
Malaysia, China to announce major deals as investors buoyed by Anwar:
— Boon Tee Tan (@BoonTeeTan1) April 1, 2023
Deals are deals, they can become waste papers if not legally & adequately documented when there is a political change, notably in a nation of 4 governments in as many years.
Could Anwar hold on for 5 years?
Therefore, China’s economic role is important for Malaysia’s economic growth and development.
Among the politicians making sure it stays that way is Anwar’s political foe-turned-ally, MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong.
The Ayer Hitam MP, who speaks fluent Mandarin and Malay, is part of the prime minister’s entourage to Beijing.
Round table meeting chaired by YAB Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim with 37 Chinese corporate leaders and captains of industry. Many issues and ideas, and recommendations being raised and discussed for mutual Malaysia-China cooperation. pic.twitter.com/y8S7UjmHp1
— Dr Wee Ka Siong 魏家祥 (@weekasiongmp) April 1, 2023
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisation (MAPIM) also welcomes Anwar’s stance on China relations.
MAPIM president Azmi Abdul Hamid said it is appropriate because Malaysia’s sovereignty needs to be prioritized.
Malaysia’s position needs to consider the country’s interests, but the rights and justice issue needs to be voiced.
Malaysia needs to act wisely to encourage dialogue and negotiation in any conflict.
MAPIM president Azmi Abdul Hamid to TRP on engaging China proactively.
Uyghurs Leaders Also Support Anwar
The International Union of East Turkestan Organisation (IUETO) said Anwar’s visit to China on his first time as Prime Minister after his appointment carries various expectations of different political actors and groups worldwide.
IUETO secretary general Abdulreshid Emin said it’s a known fact the “cold war” between China-USA globally and regionally in South East Asia is challenging the Malaysian new government’s preference for an ally.
Nevertheless, IUETO expects the Uyghur genocide and religious ban happening in Xinjiang (East Turkistan) to be discussed by Malaysia with China.
As people of East Turkistan, we expect and demand Muslim leaders like Anwar to approach the Uyghur issue separately from the US-China tension. We also remind Malaysia to be aware of the Chinese methods such as debt trap which put the sovereignty of many countries under its influence.
IUETO secretary general Abdulreshid Emin on what they expect from Anwar’s leadership.
Abdulreshid, who had visited Malaysia several times and met Anwar at an event in Putrajaya, said the East Turkistan issue needs to be solved as many Muslims are suffering.
READ MORE: With New NGO, Malaysians Show Support For Uyghurs
READ MORE: Malaysia Has No Opinion On Uyghurs In China, Abstains From UN Vote
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