THE late Charles M. Roberts, chief diplomatic correspondent for the Washington Post, wrote: “Foreign Policy is made both by commission and omission. It is affected by mood and nuance, by judgments of strengths and weaknesses, by one government’s measure of another’s will as well as its ability to act, by one national leader’s perception of a rival or friendly leader’s political standing in his own country and its effect on both national power and policies.”

The United States has shown during the last 10 years that gun boat diplomacy is futile and the international world order is no longer in the Atlantic but in the Pacific.

The inability of the current US political leadership to make profound decisions on the world stage and the total disregard of the legitimacy of the world governing bodies post-Iraq War, has tipped the balance of power towards China.

As at the time of writing, a crisis seems to be emerging between the United States vis a vis North Korea, and China vis a vis Australia. The former seems to be an act of infantile superiority posturing, while the latter is a matter of grave concern.

Elsewhere, the expansion of China’s dominance via the sea, and in a recent case regarding Chinese undersea cables involving Australia, further disrupts the global power equilibrium.

More concerning, the US’ blatant disregard of the United Nations, has thrown the world into a turmoil. As a result, international agreements and treaties are turning into “zombies” – stubbornly undead despite still holding a sort of existence. Corporations have taken the place of nations, and it seems that diplomacy is being “hacked” by a global domination through trade and economy as a proxy for political and ideological might.

Malaysia, with the ouster of the Najib regime, will not be party to any proxy war. As long as we share the vision and make informed and resolute decisions, the world will listen to us. Malaysia will have to play a larger role and carry a bigger responsibility on the international stage by seeking a central leadership role.

We must remember that Malaysia is and has always been in a unique position of favourable relations with most nations, whether through centuries old relationships, such as with China, India and the Middle East, or through its leadership of nations of the rest of the world in more recent times, and through high-powered trading with Europe and Russia.

This formula of respecting each and every nation as an equal should continue because it guarantees Malaysia the confidence of the world in propagating a just world and universal peace, one not based on threats and aggression. 

With this in mind, by embarking on a robust foreign policy now, the Malaysian people will be given a much needed compass to navigate the future. As such, an overall policy that strengthens and binds Asian unity and stability will be favourable towards Malaysia.

Consider this – as of May 31, 2018, the United States has imposed trade tariffs of 25% on imported steel and 15% on imported aluminium originating from Canada, Mexico and the EU. It is reported that tariffs on imports from China, Japan and Asia will follow suit. Global trade will suffer as a result, with TPPA and APEC negotiations torn asunder. Advocacy for the East Asia Economic Caucusand a chance for Malaysia to take centre stage during the upcoming Nikkei Conference on 11 June, 2018 is ripe. The “Look East Policy” needs to grow into “We are The East” advocacy.

China, for all its postulations, should not be seen as the enemy. Rather than follow the US style of forcing a collective of nations to selfishly guarantee the economic and border security in lieu of others’ national interests, Malaysia can strengthen individual alliances to produce an outcome in the national interests of all.

Malaysia should also seek the participation of Australia, India, China, Korea and Japan in the EAEC/RCEP, as any effort to strengthen the region will also be of vital economic interests for the region.

Malaysian diplomats have their work cut out for them. For what political leaders decide, the intelligence experts must justify. A foreign minister is not merely an extension of the prime minister, he is the chief diplomat of Malaysia. He is the representative of his boss on the international stage. He needs to embody the ideals and vision of the prime minister, and be the bridge between the nation’s direction and the demands and reality of the international arena. Thus, Malaysia needs to be flexible, yet assertive, and ready to exploit every available option without the constraint of ideology. – June 8, 2018.

* Tariq Ismail is a Bersatu division chief and supreme council member. He reads the Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.