PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia, which has long looked to Japan and South Korea as models for economic development, was also interested in learning from China.

“We need to be open to revise any policy that has been in place for 40 years,” he told Asahi Shimbun in an interview in Tokyo on Sunday.

He was referring to the Look East Policy introduced by Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1982 to learn economic modernisation strategies from Japan and South Korea.

“I wouldn’t say ‘East’ (in this policy) means Japan and South Korea minus China. Now, when we say ‘Look East,’ it’s East (including China)”, he was quoted as saying by the Japanese newspaper.

Anwar said as digital technologies, cybersecurity and other issues are changing the world, Malaysia needs to expand on the decades-old policy while continuing its aspects that remain beneficial.

Anwar undertook a five-day working visit to Tokyo from December 15 to attend a summit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the friendship and cooperation between Japan and Asean.

Malaysia has advocated for a “fiercely independent” foreign policy, and Anwar said the country would deal with China depending on Malaysia’s interests.

Anwar said when he visited the United States (during the recent Apec summit), he was asked why Malaysia was tilting toward China.

He replied: “Because they’re investing more.”

But Anwar said Malaysia would firmly negotiate with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and not allow any unilateral action by Beijing.

The prime minister described Japan as a “very important strategic partner”, adding that Malaysia’s relationship with Japan should be expanded under the Look East Policy such as sharing Japanese work ethics and technologies.

Asahi Shimbun reported Japan’s announcement on Saturday it would provide equipment for warning and surveillance activity worth ¥400 million (RM13 million), including rescue boats and drones, to the Malaysian military under the official security assistance programme.

Anwar said the defence equipment was designed to help Malaysia protect its territorial waters and did not include submarines or large aircraft.

“(The assistance is) mainly for our own security needs, not for offensive or aggressive means,” it quoted Anwar as saying.

During the visit, Malaysia and Japan had elevated their bilateral relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. – Bernama, December 19, 2023.