COUNTRIES like Malaysia, and Asean at large, should not be forced to see the world and big powers in a Cold War mindset, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said. 

He said post-normal times were more chaotic and complex, which required countries big or small to be able to come together and collaborate, not otherwise.

This, said Anwar, was why the meeting between US President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, was critical.

“It should give a clear message that we are able to work together and trust each other to resolve serious problems such as climate change,” he said during a question and answer session at the 30th Apec CEO Summit titled: “The Global Economy and State of The World,” in San Francisco yesterday.

Citing the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, Anwar said there were too many contentious issues at hand, and engagement was the best way to move forward.

“You must try and engage, accepting the fact that you may not achieve all the desired results, but this engagement is important to try and establish areas that do work,” he said.

Meanwhile, the prime minister reiterated that both the United States and China were equally important to Malaysia.

“The United States has been a traditional ally and a major investor in Malaysia but things are changing, there has been an increase in trade and investment from China.

“So, why then put us in a fix, in a zero-sum game? For the benefit of (our) countries, emerging economies, and also for the West and the East, I believe the solution is, of course, greater collaboration,” he said.

Anwar arrived in San Francisco on Monday for the 30th Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting from November 14 to 17, marking his maiden visit to the official meeting as prime minister.  

He is accompanied by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil as well as other senior government officials. – Bernama, November 16, 2023.