Malaysia Applies 'Jekyll And Hyde' Approach To China

Although Malaysia has pursued a cautious foreign policy towards China, it recently ticked off the giant nation over maritime incursions into its waters, analyst Bhavan Jaipragas wrote for South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Photo Insert: Senior Minister Hishammuddin Hussein

For an example of just how nuanced and multilayered China’s relationship is with Southeast Asian countries, one needs to look no farther than its ties with Malaysia. On some days, uninitiated commentators could be forgiven for thinking that Beijing has some sort of suzerainty over Kuala Lumpur.

In other occasions, Malaysia’s public statements in response to Chinese assertions in the disputed South China Sea can seem outrightly muscular.

Take for instance Hishammuddin’s immediate reaction after the Chinese air force in late May flew 16 transport planes in formation close to Malaysia’s national air space, without prior notification.

Hishammuddin at that point branded the act a “breach of sovereignty” and subsequently the Chinese envoy, Ouyang Yujing, was issued a démarche to explain the reason for the exercise.

Later, both countries gave the impression the episode would not mar overall ties, and days after the summoning of Ouyang, Hishammuddin publicly thanked Wang for China’s contribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

The new Malaysian foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah held talks with Wang on September 29 at the request of the former. Both foreign ministries later issued glowing readouts on the call, with Beijing describing the two countries as “close and friendly neighbors.”

Then, on October 4 Kuala Lumpur summoned Ouyang for the second time since June, this time over the presence of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea. The timing of the latest démarche, and the reason, was surprising as Chinese vessels have maintained an almost uninterrupted presence in waters Malaysia considers its own off the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak for years.

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