He also said Malaysia would maintain good relations with all countries and not interfere in their policies or systems.

“But of course, we are very keen to ensure that the market for Malaysia’s products will be as large as possible,” he told a press conference after a Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council meeting today.

Mahathir was sworn in as the country’s seventh prime minister yesterday.

He said Malaysia was a trading nation, and needed international markets to grow its economy.

Due to this, it could not afford to quarrel with countries with differing ideologies, he added.

“Malaysia wants to have access to all the markets of the world, whether east or west. Whether they are communist or non-communist, it is of no concern to us. Our business is to establish (good) relations.”

He also said the decisions made by the big powers on their own will not influence Malaysia’s policies.

“Of course, we are very well aware of the power of these big powers who may want to impose sanctions on countries who do not agree with (their decisions to apply) sanctions on (other) countries.”

But as far as possible, Mahathir said, Putrajaya would be neutral and friendly with all countries.