Why Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Taiwan Remarks Sparked Controversy

Summary: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s statement that Taiwan is not separate from China has prompted a reconsideration of Malaysia’s “One China” policy. Taiwan has protested Anwar’s remarks, warning that they could negatively affect the confidence of Taiwanese businesspeople and harm political relations. Meanwhile, China praised Anwar’s comments, reiterating its claim that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China and must be reunified.
Kathmandu, September 4 — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent remarks concerning Taiwan have generated considerable attention and controversy. Earlier this month, in an interview with Al Jazeera, he stated, “I consider Taiwan as part of China,” adding that this is “widely accepted.” This statement has raised questions regarding Malaysia’s traditional non-aligned foreign policy, which has maintained neutrality between China and the United States.
When asked about Taiwan’s status, Anwar said, “We might disagree; there are some extremist views. Yes, people can express their opinions. But this is the One China policy, which is generally accepted.” When further questioned whether Malaysia would condemn China if it used force against Taiwan, Anwar responded by citing Malaysia’s own example: “If any state in Malaysia sought to secede, I would use force to preserve the unity of my country.”
These remarks have triggered serious concerns about Malaysia’s long-standing non-aligned foreign policy and regional security implications. Taiwan officially protested, cautioning that Malaysia’s unilateral support for China could affect Taiwanese investors’ confidence.
In a statement from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it said, “Malaysia’s one-sided support of China could negatively impact the confidence of businesses investing in Taiwan. Supporting unilateral attempts to change the status quo in Taiwan’s waterways through threats of force will seriously damage political trust between Taiwan and Malaysia.”
Social media users in Taiwan have also sharply criticized Anwar, accusing him of disregarding the feelings of Taiwan’s 23 million people and endorsing Beijing’s military threats.
China, in contrast, openly praised the Malaysian Prime Minister’s comments. A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “China appreciates Prime Minister Anwar’s remarks. Taiwan is an inseparable part of China’s territory and must be reunified.”
Following the escalation of the Taiwan dispute, Prime Minister Anwar has sought to moderate his stance, emphasizing that while Malaysia respects China’s position, tensions in Taiwan’s waterways should be resolved peacefully.