KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to engaging with all nations, including major powers, but stressed that this should not be seen as approval of any provocative or excessive actions, particularly in sensitive areas like the South China Sea.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following the Malaysia-Australia Third Annual Leaders’ Meeting, Anwar addressed a recent incident where a Chinese military aircraft released flares near an Australian surveillance plane over contested waters.
He explained that Malaysia follows a principled approach by voicing concerns after thoroughly verifying facts, while continuing constructive dialogue with all parties involved.
“Once we establish the facts, we will raise this issue. Engagement does not mean condoning any excesses — the Chinese know that,” he said.
Anwar further pointed out that despite being a smaller nation, Malaysia holds the right to express its views with wisdom and balance.
“In my private exchanges with United States President Donald Trump, I told him that we represent a very small country and a relatively small economy, but we still represent a nation — and we have the right to express our views.”
He added, “Of course, we need the wisdom not to be seen as unnecessarily combative, but we should raise the issue once it is established.”
The Prime Minister also underscored that Asean’s centrality should not be interpreted as silence, urging regional nations to speak out on critical global and regional matters, including the crises in Myanmar, Gaza, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Centrality means that we do express our views. We have centrality, but we also engage on issues such as Myanmar, Gaza, and the Russia–Ukraine conflict,” Anwar said. – October 28, 2025