“We need to be open to revise any policy that has been in place for 40 years,” he told Asahi Shimbun in an interview in Tokyo on Dec 17.
He was referring to the Look East Policy that Malaysia’s fourth prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, introduced in 1982 to learn economic modernisation strategies primarily from Japan and South Korea.
“I wouldn’t say ‘East’ (in this policy) means Japan and South Korea minus China. Now, when we say ‘Look East,’ it’s East (including China)”, he was quoted as saying by the Japanese newspaper.
Anwar said that because digital technologies, cybersecurity and other issues are changing the world, Malaysia needs to expand on the decades-old policy while continuing aspects that remain beneficial.
He undertook a five-day working visit to Tokyo from Dec 15 to attend a summit celebrating the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation between Japan and Asean.
Malaysia advocates a “fiercely independent” foreign policy, and Anwar said the country would deal with China according to Malaysia’s interests.
Anwar said when he visited the US during the recent Apec 2023 summit, he was asked why Malaysia was tilting towards China.
He replied: “Because they’re investing more.”
But Anwar said Malaysia would firmly negotiate with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea and not allow any unilateral action by Beijing.
The prime minister also described Japan as a “very important strategic partner”, adding that Malaysia’s relationship with Japan should be expanded under the Look East Policy, such as by sharing Japanese work ethics and technologies.
According to Asahi Shimbun, Japan announced on Dec 16 that it would provide equipment for warning and surveillance activity worth 400 million yen (US$2.82 million), including rescue boats and drones, to the Malaysian military under the official security assistance programme.
Anwar said the defence equipment was designed to help Malaysia protect its territorial waters, and did not include submarines or large aircraft.
“(The assistance is) mainly for our own security needs, not for offensive or aggressive means,” the paper quoted Anwar as saying.