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malaysia's foreign policy malaysia's foreign policy
MALAYSIA's FOREIGN POLICY - IN CONLUSION
 
One significant phenomenon that will impact strongly on Malaysia's foreign policy as we move forward is globalisation. Our greatest challenge would be to extract the best from the process of globalisation and to give our best to the system. And in return to contribute towards making the world a much more peaceful and equitable place to live in, to provide leadership within our region and to demonstrate exemplary and responsible membership of the international community.
 
Photo: Officers and Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia donning the various international costumes during the 50 Years of Independence parade on 31 August 2007 in Kuala Lumpur.
 

On the political front, we see the end of the cold war. Yet the world today is no safer than we had been led to believe. The so-called friendly global village has not come about. Old conflicts either refuse to die or simply have a way of coming out of their graves to haunt us. In the meantime, new conflicts, at times much bloodier and brutal than the old ones, continue to emerge and rage or remain unresolved. Added to this, two other issues of great concern also remain, namely:

  • Terrorism which continue to threaten the lives and property of innocent victims; and
  • The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction which brings fourth the prospect of nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare.

It is important; therefore, that our foreign policy be geared towards ensuring that more and more nations sign and ratify the relevant international conventions such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Convention on Land Mines (CLM).

 

 

The economic dimension of globalisation has been even more disappointing. The financial crisis that descended upon East Asia in 1997 brought about not only social misery and economic disaster but political instability as well. Massive Unemployment, negative growth, stock market crashes and severe currency devaluation have pulled down millions of people below the poverty lines. And now, we are anxiously watching the effects of the possible economic meltdown following the global financial crisis.

 

Photo: Officers and Staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia participating in the parade to commemorate the 50 Years of Malaysian Independence on  31 August 2007 in Kuala Lumpur.
 

The severity of the situation calls for the whole business of economic globalisation and financial and trade liberalisation to be seriously addressed. This is another biggest foreign policy challenge for Malaysia. Malaysia will continue to press for the reforming the international financial architecture that is so prone to speculative manipulations and frequently excessive fluctuations.

 

Malaysia's activism at the international front has of course attracted attention and reaction from various quarters. Until recently, Malaysia had been the target for criticism for being "too vocal". But this is something that we need to take in our own stride if Malaysia is to be proactive at the global level.

Our foreign policy principles have stood the test of time. Indeed, our steadfast adherence to these principles, supported by a consistent foreign policy, has established for Malaysia certain credibility in the eyes of the international community.

  • Malaysia's initiatives at various regional and international fora have put the country on the world map.
  • Increased economic prosperity and political stability has in fact enabled Malaysia to carve its own niche in the international scene.
  • Making its presence felt has allowed Malaysia to exercise some influence in setting the international agenda.
  • Being less dependent on foreign aid and assistance, Malaysia has been able to speak up on issues that other developing countries feel constrained to voice for fear of retribution by the major, particularly western, powers.

The years ahead therefore would see our foreign policy specially oriented towards not only ensuring Malaysia's domestic success but also internationally, as a geopolitical and economic player at the global level.


 

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