NVDB005_-_CH_3.009._Malaysia’s_internal_politics_and_the_implications_on_its_foreign_-_Thomas-3

Diplomatic Briefing — KAS Cambodia and CICP

50 — DP Vol. 05

Malaysia’s Internal Politics and the Implications on Its Foreign Policies and ASEAN

the regional organisation, it has been noticeably less involved and outspoken on a range of issues over the past two years. This against a backdrop of the region beset by increasing major power competition across multiple spectrums and growing tensions in the South China Sea, where Malaysia is increasingly coming under pressure from China on its claims and hydro- carbon explorations. These issues aren’t seen to bring in much desperately needed political capital to those vying for power, or in the case of the South China Sea, could cast an unfavourable one due to the limited options available to Malaysia in response. The one exception here is Malaysia’s continued outspokenness on ongoing bloody ramifications of the February 2021 coup in Myanmar and insistence that the military junta make progress on the five-point consensus before being invited back to leaders-led meetings.

Third, and directly related to the two points above, Malaysia’s foreign policy from March 2020 onwards has largely been reactionary. This has been especially true of policy coming from the top down, where elected politicians hold an apex position in foreign

policy making. The hierarchy generally flows from the Prime Minister to the Foreign Minister and the Deputy Foreign Minister.. It is when there are major aberrations or sudden unexpected developments that shortcomings of the reactive nature are laid bare. For example, the alleged delayed decision to evacuate Malaysian diplomats and citizens from Ukraine before Russia invaded, despite strong evidence Russia was indeed going to invade. .

Whether top-down led stability, which would allow for a greater and more coherent focus on foreign policy, will come after a general election remains far from certain. A strong win could bring some political stability to the country. Broader questions remain on how Malaysia and its policy makers perceive the country, its identity, its position, and its strategic advantages (and challenges) in an evolving regional order marked by major power rivalry and growing uncertainty. While political stability will go some way to stabilising the policy making environment, there remain difficult questions and decisions that Malaysia will have to address in the foreseeable future.