MALAYSIA will not allow any major power to dictate its decisions or direction, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in Beijing today.

“Nobody should dictate to us. As a free and independent nation, we will decide what is best for us.

“We decide based on core values and principles, which are to make sure that we have good governance and policies that will benefit the country and the people.

“We should also maintain this position in Asean because it was set up as a free and neutral zone,” he said.

The prime minister said he has been seen as pro-China, but as a trading nation. He said Malaysia wants to build excellent relationships with all countries, including China and the United States.

He said Malaysia does not see China as a competitor or a threat, although there may be some disagreements between the two countries.

“Since there is no outright threat from China, we are happy to be a good neighbour, a friend and to benefit from its success,” he said.

Anwar said China and the US must also understand that the dynamic of international diplomacy today has changed and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict is affecting the whole world.

“The period of colonisation and new imperialism is gone. No country can dictate. People want to assert their independence and decide what is best for themselves and their country,” he said. – Bernama, March 31, 2023.