DAVOS, Switzerland: There will at all times be border disputes in Asia, and China shouldn’t be focused as a result of tensions within the South China Sea, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated on Wednesday (Jan 22).
Speaking on the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Anwar stated Malaysia had border points with Singapore and its different neighbors in Southeast Asia, however had nonetheless managed to domesticate good relations.
Although Malaysia additionally has maritime points with China, it’s going to transfer ahead in bettering ties as a result of it is a crucial nation, he stated.
“We have excellent relations with Singapore. We nonetheless have border issues with them,” Anwar stated.
“I deal with Thai folks as members of my household, as leaders, however we nonetheless have some border issues with them. The identical goes with Indonesia and the Philippines.
“(But) we do not go to conflict, we do not threaten. We argue. We get a bit of indignant, however we deal with financial fundamentals and transfer ahead,” he added.
“Why then do we have to single out China as the issue?” Anwar requested.
“That’s my solely thesis. Do I’ve an issue with it? Yes, however do I’ve an issue? No. Do we’ve any undesirable tensions? No,” he stated.
He stated whereas Malaysia has sturdy ties with the United States, China can also be an essential neighbor it wants to have interaction with.
“Of course, folks spotlight the South China Sea problem… But could I remind you that Malaysia is a maritime nation,” he stated.
China has been “very affordable” in its dealings with Malaysia, Anwar added.
“They take us significantly, extra significantly than many nations of our previous allies and mates,” he stated, with out mentioning any nation.
