Malaysia » International Relations

The Malaysia's Relations with International Community

Malaysia is a politically powerful country and member of quite a lot of international organisations. These international organisations are including Commonwealth of Nations, United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Conference and non aligned movement. That is the reason why Malaysia international agreements always play key role in shaping the world politics.    

Malaysia is so much interested in regional cooperation. Therefore Malaysia is an active and establishing fellow member of Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Most of the Malaysia international policies revolve around the sovereignty of the religion. Malaysia is taking great concern in making positive attitude in Malaysia international affairs or Malaysia world affairs by producing economical and social affiliations with almost all the countries of the world.       

In the beginning of its independence, Malaysia was member of Anglo-Malayan Defence Agreement (AMDA). Newly born Malaysia was very concerned about her defence. Therefore with this treaty of AMDA, Malaysia invited Britain to assure her security against any foreign attack.  Presence of Britain and other common wealth countries was important for the security of Malaysia. Malaysia was dealing with many foreign as well as internal issues at that time. For example, Malaysia was facing saviour confrontation of Indonesia. This confrontation was produced by the merger of Singapore with Malaysia.  

In 1971, The AMDA or Anglo-Malayan Defence Agreement was replaced with the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). This Agreement was the collation of five counties namely Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore against any foreign attack within their religions. Main concern of the Malaysia foreign policy was the collective defence of the areas of all the nations come in the FPDA or Five Power Defence Arrangement agreement.  

In 1070, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman took strong stance against communist type of policies. At that time Malaysian government was inclined towards the commonwealth political policies. Malaysia played vital role in the arrangement of Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Malaysia always tried to act neutrally to almost all the global issues and remained an active member of Non-Aligned Movement.  Malaysia is also having representation in two economic groups: G-15 and G-77. Government is now working with close relationship of western countries to curb the Islamic militant organisations.

Some disputes with other neighbouring countries are not affecting over hall international relations of Malaysia in world popular politics. No doubt the extent of Malaysia relations with international community is varying country by country.  But Malaysian economy is in full bloom due to relaxed Malaysia trade policy for almost all the nations of the world.  Powerful economy of the country also plays significant role in defining Malaysia world politics or Malaysia International politics in a new worldwide prospective.    

Malaysia is one of the Asian tiger countries including Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. Most of the Malaysia international trade consists of the following export items.

• Electronic
• Equipment
• Petroleum
• Liquefied natural gas
• Wood
• Wood products
• Palm oil
• Rubber
• Textiles
• Chemicals

Trade and Investment with UK

Malaysia is enjoying deep relationships with United Kingdom in the following sectors.

• Trade
• Investment
• Science
• Innovation
• Education

Mutual help in the preceding sectors is making deep and strong Malaysia economic relations with United Kingdom. Both countries are already bound with the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA) like agreement. On the other hand, cultural relationship between Malaysia and United Kingdom is also very strong. More than 11.500 students from Malaysia are reading in UK universities. British council and other English teaching centers have their presence in the capital city of Malaysia along with other important cities like Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.