Mahathir to update Malaysia’s foreign policy, including on South China Sea and international Muslim cooperation

The premier made reference to “powerful countries” imposing their will on smaller nations, saying multilaterism was under threat

He has also proposed the non-militarisation of the disputed waterway, and will actively promote the vision within Asean

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Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad says the country will “proactively seek to explore new approaches” to foreign policy. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:32pm, 18 Sep 2019Updated: 2:01pm, 18 Dec 2019

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday unveiled a new “guiding framework” for the country’s foreign policy, stressing that the government will continue its non-aligned stance towards major powers and announcing plans to take the lead in fostering cooperation in the Muslim world.

He said while the basic elements of Malaysian foreign policy remained unchanged, Malaysia’s approach towards issues affecting domestic interests would shift.

“We are living in a world where changes take place at a rapid pace. These changes bring both challenges and opportunities. It is, therefore, only logical that Malaysia does not stick to the traditional methods of engagement and instead proactively seek to explore new approaches,” Mahathir said in a speech launching the new approach.

Themed ‘Change in Continuity’, the framework will see Malaysia maintain friendly relations with all countries and seek peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law, but the country also reserved the right to “express its opinion and if necessary, its protestations, against injustices, oppressions and other crimes against humanity that are committed by any nations”.

On the prickly South China Sea dispute, the 80-page framework document said Mahathir had proposed the non-militarisation of the disputed waterway, and for it to be turned into a region of peace, friendship and trade.

“Essentially, the South China Sea should be a sea of cooperation, connectivity and community-building and not confrontation or conflict. This is in line with the spirit of Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN). Malaysia will actively promote this vision in Asean,” the framework said.

The US Navy’s USS Montgomery sails in formation with navy ships from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during the US-Asean maritime exercise at the gulf of Thailand on September 4. Photo: AFP

The ZOPFAN agreement to “keep Southeast Asia free from any form or manner of interference by outside powers” was signed by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore in 1971.

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