KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent address at the United Nations General Assembly (UN) in New York, where he touched on sensitive issues concerning certain countries, has been hailed as a pivotal moment in Malaysia’s bid to regain international recognition.
Hussain Yusri Zawawi, an expert in foreign and international relations from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), said that Anwar’s firm and unequivocal statements have underscored Malaysia’s commitment to building a more harmonious world.
Speaking with Scoop, Zawawi referred to this development as a “stepping stone” toward Malaysia’s renewed prominence on the global stage.
“Malaysia’s clear and assertive stance reflects Anwar’s pivotal role within the international community in forging agreements that promote a better world,” said Zawawi, lending credence to Anwar’s recent actions on the global platform.
Zawawi expressed confidence that the Prime Minister’s criticisms on the international stage would not adversely affect Malaysia’s bilateral relations, particularly with the United States.
He clarified that the United Nations primarily facilitates multilateral relationships involving all member countries, as opposed to bilateral interactions between two nations.
Anwar’s proposals, he explained, were designed to contribute to the broader discourse on regional cooperation and the improvement of international ideas.
“In this context, Prime Minister Anwar’s statements will not jeopardise any existing agreements or relationships between Malaysia and any other country, including major powers,” Zawawi said.
During his address at the 78th UN General Assembly, Anwar touched on a range of critical issues, including the introduction of the “Madani Malaysia” concept and a fervent call for developed nations to fulfil their commitment of providing US$100 billion annually to support developing countries in combating climate change.
Zawawi also called upon members of the abinet and government agencies to take Anwar’s statements seriously, as Malaysia’s next steps would be closely scrutinised on the global stage.
He stressed the significance of collaborative efforts among government officials, with a particular focus on diplomatic administrative officers, and the Foreign Ministry, to ensure that the mission outlined by Anwar could be realised.
“Rather than placing the sole responsibility on the prime minister, it is imperative that all sectors of the government work together to achieve these objectives,” Zawawi said. – September 23, 2023