KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia continues to practice a pragmatic and friendly foreign policy with all parties without compromising the country's sovereignty or becoming a puppet of any foreign power, said Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and international) Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani.
Commenting on the criticism made in a recent issue of The Economist magazine, the political observer and international relations expert said the criticism seemed to portray Malaysia as a liberal country that supports all Western policies.
Mohd Azizuddin said Malaysia is not a liberal country but a sovereign country with the right to determine its political, socio-economic and administrative direction according to its practice. Malaysia has adopted a neutral and open foreign relations policy, which is friendly to anyone who can bring prosperity and national interests.
"The criticism from the magazine, we know, they support liberalism, which sees the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led Malaysia's foreign policy towards those who are considered enemies of the West like our cooperation with Russia, China and Eastern countries.
"This is an unfair accusation or criticism because they already consider Malaysia or the prime minister (Anwar) himself to be pro-Western who has run away from liberal or undemocratic policies, even though we are not pro-Western,” he told Bernama on Monday (Sept 2).
The Economist published an article titled “Why does the West back the wrong Asian leaders?” criticised Anwar because he has good relations with Western enemies like Russia and China and has openly met Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader who was recently killed in Iran.
Commenting further, Mohd Azizuddin said Malaysia are generally with the West. Still, it is in the context of establishing trade and foreign investment cooperation, just like cooperation with other countries, thus creating a more complete economic prosperity for the country.
He believes that the West may be concerned by Malaysia's desire to join the economic union spearheaded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), which is joined by Western enemies, as well as Anwar's volume of support for the Palestinian cause at the global level.
"In the context of Anwar's assertiveness on the Palestinian issue on the international stage, he is the only leader to openly criticise the West for supporting Israeli atrocities against Palestinians... This shows that Anwar's constructive criticism makes the West (The Economist) feel uncomfortable.
"Anwar's identity remains intact. The struggle over Palestine when he was in Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) has continued. Even the approach when he was Finance Minister then and now, namely cooperation for shared prosperity, is still the same and continues. There is consistency there.
”At the same time, Malaysia is becoming a middle power as a voice for countries that are left out on the bigger stage globally," he said.
Meanwhile, the professor of politics and international relations also slammed claims that Anwar's leadership changed when he became prime minister compared to the opposition. He said it was incorrect because the leader's reform agenda was now more structured, careful and focused.
For example, he said economic reforms, such as the subsidy targeting policy introduced by the Anwar-led government, are positively impacting the country's economy and foreign and local investment.
"The criticism seems as if Anwar has forgotten his reform struggle, while the Prime Minister is still carrying out his reform agenda but more structured, namely economic reform...the goal is still the same, and priority is given to some things,” he said.
In addition, Mohd Azizuddin described the Economist's “mischievous” criticism of the continued use of the Sedition Act in the country, proving that they do not understand the political perspective in Malaysia and see it only from the reverse Western perspective.
In the context of the Prime Minister's move to continue the implementation of the act that he fought for to be amended and dropped first, it is much different that the action is only applied to those who manipulate freedom of speech that can threaten Malaysia's harmony such as playing the 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues.
"Therefore, the act is still relevant and has undergone many amendments. Now, no one will be charged under the Sedition Act if they criticise the country's leaders; only those who manipulate freedom of expression and touch the 3R will,” he said. – Bernama
