Anwar (right) and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets in Putrajaya on Thursday. – Bernama photo
PUTRAJAYA (April 16): Malaysia will pursue a balanced foreign policy by engaging all major powers while prioritising national interests and regional stability, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said, stressing the need for peace and uninterrupted global trade flows.
He said Malaysia maintains constructive relations with all major powers, including the United States, Russia and Iran, while playing a facilitative role in conveying concerns from countries in the Gulf and the broader Arab world amid ongoing tensions.
“We have been engaging with more countries…my priority, the mandate that I have, is to protect the interests of the people in this country,” he said at a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday.
The Australian leader is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia from April 15 to 17.
Meanwhile, Anwar emphasised that Malaysia remains consistent in upholding freedom of navigation, particularly along critical maritime routes such as the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Hormuz, while acknowledging the need to address underlying security concerns arising from ongoing conflicts.
“You cannot ignore the fact that when a country has been attacked and there is no assurance of security, those concerns must be addressed.
“While supporting the position of freedom of navigation, we also want clear guarantees from all countries, including major powers, to end animosity, attacks and even sanctions against others,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar said Malaysia prioritises peace and the stability of global trade routes.
“So, we look at it in a more comprehensive manner, but ultimately we are for peace, and the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to the international community to help resolve major issues confronting not only the region, but also the world,” he said.
Meanwhile, Albanese emphasised Australia’s role as a “trusted and reliable trading partner, noting that Australia’s adherence to UNCLOS remains a global principle and a key pillar of its international engagement.
“We expect freedom of navigation to be the basis of international trade, and that is very important, that principle, and it’s one that we hold to,” he added. – Bernama
