Anwar Walks Tightrope Between Beijing and Taipei
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- Anwar Ibrahim told Al Jazeera in an Aug 16 interview "I see Taiwan as part of China, period," and said he would use force against a breakaway province to protect "the sanctity and unity of the nation."
- Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the remarks on Aug 18, warning they could negatively affect Taiwanese businesses' confidence in investing in Malaysia.
- China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian commended Anwar on Aug 19, saying upholding the One China principle is right and that China "must and will achieve reunification," without echoing the force comment.
- On Aug 20, Anwar walked back his comments at a doorstop, stressing Malaysia respects China's position but favors a peaceful resolution and that the interview framing may have fueled the backlash.
- Anwar is scheduled to visit China in late September, and his Pakatan Harapan coalition has suffered setbacks in Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections over the past two months.
- Analysts warned the remarks risk eroding Malaysia's traditional non-aligned posture and its appeal as a neutral node in increasingly fragmented global supply chains.
Why it matters: Anwar's unusually explicit endorsement of force against Taiwan — then walked back — threatens Malaysia's image as a neutral trading hub between Washington and Beijing. With China its top trading partner and Taiwan a key source of investment and technology, any perceived tilt could deter Taiwanese capital and complicate the late-September China visit Anwar needs to bolster an economy under political pressure ahead of elections due by early 2028.
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