LETTERS: The Perikatan Nasional administration, led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, is concentrating its efforts in dealing with the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic by focusing on economic improvement while addressing social and health issues.
With the impact of Covid-19 expected to disrupt the societal climate, causing a surge in unemployment and reducing revenue for this year and the next, the federal government also manages foreign policy as well as it can especially in relation to recent developments along our border or territorial waters.
Over the years, Malaysia has solidified its mark as a tolerant and open nation, safeguarding its national borders with care, despite the risk of encroachment by outside parties, as well as threats, like pirates.
It is only logical and right that the country be more vocal and demanding in exercising its rights as a sovereign nation. The presence of Chinese and American warships in the South China Sea, for instance, presents a real threat to regional peace and security, which directly affects us.
Judging by Parliamentary responses given by the foreign minister from 2018 to last year under the previous administration, the federal government, including the current administration, wants to avoid conflict with global superpowers and so will keep emphasising diplomacy, restraint and moderation as the way to go.
With developments still centred on US-China ties along the lines of trade policies, health-driven action plans due to Covid-19 and security co-operation, Malaysia, along with other Asean members, will probably continue to adopt a collective stance founded on the principles of global peace and harmony.
In addition, Malaysia's worrying economic prospects require policy flexibility, including in managing foreign affairs. As Sino-Malaysian trade relations strengthened on the back of large Chinese investments in key industries such as manufacturing, information technology, agriculture and construction, the government should seek to maintain positive ties.
Within this context, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein should be measured in addressing related concerns, which includes Malaysia's position in the Hong Kong-China dispute over the proposed (and recently passed) National Security Law by respecting established norm.
Along this line, the most effective move could be to uphold Malaysia's non-interference policy, while championing democracy and the right to speak through alternative mechanisms.
To withstand the fragility of present economic terrain, coordinated internal policy execution and the preservation of external relations must go hand in hand — avoiding confrontation and focusing on continuous growth projection through close cooperation with indispensable partners instead.
FADHIL RAHMAN
SHAH ALAM
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times