Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

FORMULATION OF FOREIGN POLICY

 

Malaysia's foreign policy is basically an extension of Malaysia’s domestic policy. It is designed to defend and promote the country's national, political, security, economic and other vital interests. It is geared towards promoting a peaceful regional and international environment, which would give Malaysia space to achieve all its national objectives without disruption from external threats.

 

Despite the diversity of views regarding the perception and explanation of foreign policy, no foreign policy can be formulated in a vacuum. It must serve to function in a dynamic environment. Malaysia's foreign policy is no exception. Various geographical, historical, social and political determinants contributed to shaping the nature of Malaysia's foreign policy and the conduct of the country's international relations.

 

Photo: The Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak with the Malaysian Peace Keeping Team.

 

Our foreign policy seeks to promote mutual tolerance and cooperation amongst all countries that make up the fabric of international community. To this, Malaysia pursues an independent, principled and pragmatic foreign policy which rests on the values of peace, humanity, justice, and equality.

Malaysia’s foreign policy is also premised on the principles of respect for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the affairs of other nations, peaceful settlement of disputes, peaceful co-existence and mutual benefit in relations.

 

 

Due to globalisation and the rise of powerful non-state actors, such as Multinational Corporations (MNCs), non-governmental organisations, and a variety of transnational groups, it is imperative for small nation states to cooperate even more closely. To this, Malaysia maintains friendly diplomatic, and trade relations with many countries throughout the world.

 

As a trading nation, we advocate a multilateral rule-based global trading system which would promote and safeguard the interests of all countries, whether developed or developing, in a fair and equitable manner. In this respect, Malaysia has long advocated the economic principle of "prosper-thy-neighbour" and not “beggar-thy-neighbour". We believe that the global economic infrastructure should be that “prosperity will beget prosperity.”