Malaysia Foreign Policy Analysis

Analysis of Malaysian Foreign Policy

Malaysia once, becoming a land that occupied by British government. In 1957, Malaysia gets independence and called as Tanah Melayu. After that, Malaysia was ruled by Malay people using democracy. On 16 September 1963, Malaysia officially established as a nation by combining 13 states including Sabah, Sarawak and also Singapura. However, in 9 August 1965 Singapura withdraw from Malaysia and formed their own nation.

Malaysian foreign policy closely related with internal and external factors of politics, security and also the socio-economy. This foreign policy is continuity with the domestic policy in order to keep and maintain the security, harmonies, economic prosperity and other national interest. The formulation

At that time, Malaysia has undergone many changes of foreign policy parallel with the changes of the leadership and also the environmental conditions. Malaysia’s first prime minister is Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj. During that time, Malaysia has undergone a stabilizing era which the prime minister tried to stabilize the country’s position in the region through many ways. The examples are economic and also political treaties in Southeast Asia. As a new independence country, Malaysian foreign policy was geared towards the survival. Malaysia take a step by becoming an anti-communist and pro-western which can be seen with the relationship with western countries, the Commonwealth countries, Non-Aligned Movement countries and also other Islamic states. Besides, in order to strengthen the economy and security, Malaysia cooperate with other countries by becoming part of ASA in 1960, MAPHILINDO in 1963 and also ASEAN in

Under his leadership, Malaysia has become one of the parties on the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and started to be known as Islamic State. At that time, Malaysia foreign policy was more on neutrality and peaceful relationships. The Neutralization policy was completed through the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN). This policy was followed in order to prevent the great powers’ intervention in the region. Other than that, we also began to distance ourselves from major powers by putting a strong emphasis on regionalism.

We developed contacts and diplomatic relations with communist countries. In terms of economy, we accept investments from other than British sources. The spirit to become friends with other countries and finding a new friend has strengthen the relationship of Malaysia with Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). At the same time, the Malaysian foreign policy priority is towards the Non-Aligned Movement countries, ASEAN countries, Islamic states and also Commonwealth