KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has today said diplomacy matters should not be turned into a “cheap political stunt”.
Representing Malaysia’s position on global issues requires respect, courage and sincerity, he said.
“We shouldn’t turn foreign policy into a cheap political stunt, diplomacy isn’t about shouting outside — it’s about representing our people with respect and courage,” he told a closing press conference of the 4th Asean Summit here today.
On a different note, he said Malaysia’s friendship with other nations is based on mutual respect and dignity, not on wealth or political convenience.
“We are friends not because of a country’s status. We are friends because we respect each other’s dignity and sovereignty.
“Some families are poor, some are better off — but we don’t choose friends based on wealth. It should be the same in relations between countries,” he said.
Anwar also applauded officers, particularly from the Foreign Ministry, have worked tirelessly throughout the year to strengthen Malaysia’s standing in Asean.
Myanmar position unchanged
He also reaffirmed that Malaysia’s position on Myanmar remains unchanged, with no conditions attached to the Five-Point Consensus.
“I met Senior General Min Aung Hlaing twice — in Bangkok and in Beijing. Our Foreign Minister and counterparts have also met Myanmar’s leaders,” he said.
He added that while problems persist, violence has decreased compared to previous years.
“Two or three years ago, villages were destroyed, killings happened, and hundreds of thousands fled. It still happens, but far less now,” he said.
When asked about his meet with President Donald Trump, Anwar said he has done his best to present Malaysians’ concerns during the meeting.
He added that he was not swayed by the grandeur of the meeting.
“When I sat in ‘The Beast’, it felt like being in a palace. But I wasn’t swayed by that. I focused on speaking for Malaysia, to defend the people of Palestine and Gaza,” he said.
He added that it was fortunate that President Trump was in Kuala Lumpur, had he not been here there would be no opportunity to raised issues of concerns.
Conveyed concerns
“On the trade tariffs, I told him 19 per cent was too high for us. He has now imposed zero tariffs on our major exports, semiconductors, for now — which I thanked him for.
“I think i was in a fortunate position, firstly he allowed me to have a meeting in private and in confidence and I must confess that he listens very attentively to our views.
“And contrary to some of his earlier assertions, I mean what do you expect me to do? I think I did my best to present the voice of concerns what Malaysians want us to do.
“I did my best to appeal to him, the peace initiative must be comprehensive, must be durable and must be fair,” he said.
He however said he could not share every part of his meeting as it was a private meeting.
“Of course there were many things he said in private were enlightening, but these are private conversations we have to respect that.
“If you start leaking private conversations like in the past nobody will want to talk to you.
“So I’m sharing what I think is permissible,” said Anwar.
