KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has urged the government to clarify Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks on Taiwan, warning against statements that could complicate Malaysia’s trade relations.
The former deputy foreign minister said Malaysia should maintain its neutral foreign policy and avoid becoming entangled in tensions between China and Taiwan.
“We are a small country. We are a trading nation. Why must we rock the boat?” he told a press conference at Parliament building today.
He was referring to Anwar’s response during an Al Jazeera interview, in which the prime minister was asked about China’s position on the possible use of force against Taiwan.
Hamzah questioned Anwar’s response to a follow-up question on whether force would be used to preserve national unity.
He said the prime minister should have avoided answering a hypothetical question in a way that could be interpreted as taking sides in a sensitive international dispute.
Hamzah said his criticism was not an expression of support for Taiwan over China.
“I am talking about this in the context of diplomacy, to protect our trade and our trading partners.
“Our policy is one of neutrality,” he said.
The Larut member of parliament said Malaysia needed to safeguard its economic relationships with both China and Taiwan.
He described Taiwan as Malaysia’s fourth-largest trading partner and said the country should be careful not to jeopardise established commercial ties.
Hamzah also rejected suggestions that he was siding with Taiwan, saying his concern was how Malaysia’s position might be perceived internationally.
He said a more appropriate response would have been to reaffirm Malaysia’s established foreign policy without speculating about the use of force.
“Malaysia has a foreign policy. We will never get involved in this kind of conflict,” he said, outlining how he would have answered the question.
Hamzah said the government should consider whether further diplomatic clarification was necessary.
He maintained that Malaysia’s priority should be to protect its trade interests and maintain good relations with its international partners.
Earlier today, Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat that Malaysia had requested the resumption of informal economic discussions with Taiwan to safeguard trade and investment ties.
He said the Foreign Ministry and the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry had conveyed Malaysia’s intention to continue engagement through existing economic cooperation mechanisms.
Malaysia’s exports to Taiwan rose 88 per cent year-on-year to RM116.58 billion in the first nine months of 2026, while imports increased 24.2 per cent to RM137.67 billion.