Anwar’s overseas tour helps Malaysia, Asean through ‘complex’ geopolitical arena

PETALING JAYA: A foreign policy analyst believes that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent international tour could not have come at a better time to navigate Malaysia and Asean through a “complex” geopolitical environment.

Anwar’s 11-day trip to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Peru and Brazil earlier this month saw him take part in key global forums such as the Arab and Islamic Summit in Riyadh, the Apec Economic Leaders’ Week in Lima, and the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Alan Chong, a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the trip underscored Anwar’s commitment to multilateralism.

“When I say complex, it basically refers to Sino-US competition, with these two superpowers forcing everyone, in a way, to pick sides,” Bernama quoted Chong as saying.

“Anwar is also trying to steer a balanced position, where he wants the best of both sides, which is, incidentally, what I think every Asean country wants.”

Chong said that with Donald Trump’s incoming presidency in the US potentially disrupting international trade through his planned tariffs on imported products, smaller countries are seeking protection, or “insurance”, against the unknown.

He said Malaysia’s partnerships, whether through bilateral or multilateral agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), would cushion the impact of Trump’s planned tariffs.

“In this context, I think Anwar going to Apec and talking to like-minded states is a plus for Malaysia, a plus for the entire Asean region, and the entire Asia-Pacific,” he said.

“It is one way of saying that we’ve got big existing friendships, so let’s not allow Trump 2.0 to sour all of them.

“I think Malaysia is doing the right thing. If markets start closing because of Trump’s (tariffs), Anwar has made some very smart, preemptive moves in ensuring that some of these emerging markets will remain open not just to Malaysia, but to all of Asean.”

Anwar previously said the visits, which included discussions with leaders from 19 countries, strengthened global partnerships and created new opportunities to enhance economic growth amid the uncertainties of the global geopolitical landscape.

Among the leaders he met were Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, French president Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu, as well as Asean leaders such as the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.