Foreign relations of Malaysia

MALAYSIA'S FOREIGN POLICY The objectives of Malaysias foreign policy are summarized as follows:

Maintaining peaceful relations with all countries regardless of its ideology and political system Adopting an independent, non-aligned, and principled stance in regional and international diplomatic affairs Forging close relations and economic partnerships with all nations Promoting peace and stability in the region through capacity building and conflict resolution measures Playing an influential leadership role as Chair of the ASEAN, Non-aligned Movement (NAM) and Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) Participating actively and meaningfully in the United Nations, especially in the efforts to end injustice and oppression, and to uphold international law

Projecting Malaysia as a leading example of a tolerant and progressive Islamic nation

CRITERIA AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MALAYSIA'S FOREIGN POLICY Malaysias foreign policy is guided by three criteria. These criteria are: First, it must be a CREDIBLE policy Second, it must be an ENLIGHTENED policy Third, it must be a CONSISTENT AND COHERENT policy

EVOLUTION OF MALAYSIAS FOREIGN POLICY Over the years, Malaysias foreign policy has evolved, taking account of the change in leadership/Prime Ministers. However, a more dramatic shift occurred when Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad took over as the fourth Prime Minister in 1981. In this period, Malaysia's foreign policy stance began to take a much greater economic orientation than ever before. In addition,

a strong and nationalistic defence of the rights, interests and aspirations of developing countries and the advocacy of south-south co-operation was some achievements were gained in this period. BILATERAL RELATIONS As of March 2012, Malaysia has established 106 Missions worldwide which comprises 67 Embassies, 16 High Commissions, two Permanent Representatives to the UN and one to ASEAN, a Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre as well as 19 Consulate offices. Moreover, developing close bilateral relations with Malaysias neighbours is in high priority to resolve some problems such as determination of land and maritime boundaries. Some bilateral relations of Malaysia with some neighbour countries are explained. These countries are Singapore, Republic of Indonesia Kingdom of Thailand, and Republic of The Philippines. Malaysia Singapore Singapore is Malaysias largest trading partner in ASEAN and second largest global trading partner. Furthermore, Singapore is the largest source of foreign tourists in Malaysia. It should be mentioned that while Malaysia and Singapore enjoy a long-standing and multifaceted relationship, there is a problem related to the overlapping territorial claims. Malaysia Republic of Indonesia Malaysia's largest neighbour, Indonesia, is Malaysias third largest trading partner within ASEAN. Also, most foreign workers in Malaysia are Indonesians, mostly in the construction, agricultural and household sectors. There are some disputes related to the overlapping territorial claims over maritime boundaries. Malaysia Kingdom of Thailand & Malaysia Republic of The Philippines Malaysia and Republic of The Philippines and Kingdom of Thailand continue to enjoy warm and cordial bilateral relationship. It should be mentioned that Malaysia continues to monitor the unrest in the southern Philippines and in southern Thailand close to its borders. As a matter of the fact, Malaysia's main focus with the outside world is directed towards countries within Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as the cornerstone of

Malaysias foreign policy. ASEAN Member countries are included Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam In addition, Malaysia places equal importance to ties with the other Asian, African, MiddleEastern, and Latin American countries. Japan, the European Union, the US, and Australia and the Republic of Korea, are Malaysia's major trading partners as well as the source of investment and technology. However, the only exception is Israel because Malaysia is also concerned with continued tension and conflict in the Middle East, such as the Palestinian Israel conflict. In showing its concern, Malaysia considers beginning relations with Israel only when a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinian people is successfully concluded. MULTILATERAL COOPERATIONS Malaysia is a member of a number of multilateral organisations including the United Nations (UN), Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Commonwealth, ASEAN, Group of Seventy Seven (G77), Developing Eight (D8), Asia Middle East Dialogue (AMED), Far East Asia Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC), Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM), and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

At the multilateral level, Malaysia has always defended the position of developing countries on major issues such as terrorism, human rights, democracy and the environment. Also, Malaysia will continue to adopt a proactive role at the international level. It has played a prominent role in advancing the development agenda of the South through its leadership roles in the NAM and OIC and strongly believes that only the United Nations can provide legitimacy to international order. MALAYSIA's FOREIGN POLICY - IN CONLUSION One significant phenomenon that will impact strongly on Malaysia's foreign policy as it moves forward is globalisation. Malaysias greatest challenge would be to extract the best from the process of globalisation and to give its best to the system, and in return to contribute towards making the world a much more peaceful and equitable place to live in.