A New Assertiveness in Malaysian Foreign Policy

Abstract

Since July 1981 there has been a distinct change in the style of political leadership in Malaysia. This occurred as a consequence of the resolution of the issue of political succession within UMNO's leadership ? the emergence of Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad as Prime Minister (holding in addition, the Defence portfolio) and Datuk Musa Hitam as Deputy Prime Minister (as well as Minister of Home Affairs). Domesti cally, this change is best reflected in the vigour with which efficiency and effectiveness are being pursued in government, while in foreign policy a new assertive style has become more evident. Although an overall assessment at this early stage would be both premature and imprudent, the discernible trends, however, indicate that continuity rather than substantive change characterizes existing Malaysian foreign policy. The new assertiveness in foreign policy is not reflective of a radical departure from the policies of the previous government; for all its promises of change, certain continuities persist. Both Dr Mahathir and Datuk Musa had served under the premiership of Datuk (now Tun) Hussein Onn, the former as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry and the latter as Minister of Education. They both had played important roles in the formulation or elaboration of policies (on North-South issues, protectionism, overseas education, and so forth) which invariably impinged on external relationships. Likewise, Tan Sri Ghazali Shafie, who replaced Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen as Foreign Minister, had been an important influence in foreign policy matters especially where these had a direct bearing on Malaysia's internal security. Tan Sri Ghazali had been Malaysia's Minister of Home Affairs. Many trends in the foreign policy of the Mahathir administration (such as the attenuation of old Commonwealth ties and a growing identification with the interests of the Islamic Conference Organization) can thus be traceable to the previous administration. But where sentiments had been harboured and kept low key in the past, they are now asserted in a forthright manner.