08-05-2025
Tok Mat: Malaysia must stay neutral, engage with all sides
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must not take the side of any country, as its economy largely depends on trade, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).
He said as a trading nation, the country must always ensure it maintained balanced relations and is in a position that benefitted its interests.
'When China and the United States are not aligned (with each other), they will come to us and this will benefit Malaysia.
'So we must be seen as a nation that can engage with any country and able to engage with all sides,' he said at the closing ceremony of the Asean-Malaysia security exercise yesterday.
Mohamad, who recently attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, said he made Malaysia's position clear to the grouping's member countries.
'At the meeting, we said that Malaysia's position is not to take sides.
'For current issues such as tariffs imposed by the United States, we sent our ministers to directly engage with the officials,' he said.
On another matter, the Foreign Minister expressed confidence on the preparedness among national security agencies ahead of the 46th Asean Summit.
He also reminded all parties to ensure the smooth organisation of the summit, to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
'While I am satisfied with the level of preparedness, we must not take security matters lightly.
'Business is not as usual. The global situation today is very complex. Do not underestimate the importance of security,' he said, Bernama reported.
Staying alert: A special police force performing a demonstration at the closing ceremony of 'Latih Amal Keselamatan Kepengerusian Asean-Malaysia 2025' at KL Convention Centre. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
The summit, set for May 26-27, will bring together leaders from the grouping's 10-member states to discuss regional issues, foster economic cooperation and advance the principles of inclusivity and sustainability.
Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) said the exercise was aimed at ensuring national security agencies are at their highest state of readiness to respond to any potential crisis during the summit.
In a statement, the council said that 26 government entities –including ministries, departments and agencies – were directly involved in the drill, which tested the emergency response plan, communication efficiency, coordination, and inter-agency response alignment.
