DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 22 — Pragmatic dialogue and collaboration are key to navigating the complexities of international relations, particularly in Malaysia's engagements with major powers such as the United States and China, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday.
He said that it is essential for nations to engage thoughtfully and constructively.
“I haven’t had the chance to engage with the (United States) President Donald Trump, but from what I see in his pronouncements, I believe he will approach matters pragmatically,” Anwar said during the ‘Country Strategy Dialogue’ session, on the sideline of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025, in response to a question about what he would ask President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping if they were to share the same stage.
The session was moderated by Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
While Trump’s rhetoric, focused on the interests of his electorate and the United States, can be concerning in a globalised world, Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, believes that Trump is well aware of interdependence.
“I think he also knows that the interest of United States, with interdependence ... with globalised trade, that require him to listen to the diverse interests outside, including China,” he said.
As for his several engagements with President Xi, the Prime Minister said there is a level of preparedness to learn and engage on various issues, including the South China Sea, which the West often labels as highly contentious.
Anwar highlighted Malaysia's unique position as a maritime state, sharing borders with all Asean countries as well as China.
“We have unresolved issues with Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines. (But) why is it that the problem only seems to be with China?” he asked.
“And they say, Oh, are you being defensive? No, it's not the case. I am simply stating the facts. Is there a problem? Yes, there is (a problem). But the issue involves the entire region. Are we going to wage war over it? No.
“As an emerging economy dependent on trade, we have to make friends, and there's no reason why we should not do so.”
On another question asked by a participant on his expectation of the recently penned Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) collaboration, Anwar said it is a phenomenal move between Malaysia and its southern neighbour.
“There is an element of trust in working together on a joint programme that will benefit one another.
“This Johor-Singapore economics, in my mind, is a phenomenal sort of a move, because (it) must be based on trust and common policies. And it is happening.”
Anwar added: “We are really enthusiastic, and so is Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong when we had the discussion, and I think that should be a very important showcase for Malaysia and Singapore and also for the region, for Asean and beyond,” he said.
On the topic of Malaysia adopting nuclear power, Anwar said there is no “pressing need” to do so, as the country still sees much potential in solar power and the Asean Power Grid (APG).
However, the prime minister did not dismiss the "possibility" of using small modular reactors (SMR), especially with the country having massive data centres in the pipeline.
— Bernama
