Anwar says Malaysia has adhered to One-China policy since Tun Abdul Razak’s time, will continue to uphold it

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — In response to criticism from Taiwanese lawmakers, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended Malaysia's adherence to the One-China policy during an interview with Al Jazeera. Anwar reiterated that Malaysia has practiced this policy since the time of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who served as the second prime minister of Malaysia.

The prime minister expressed his view that the policy remains in place and that Malaysia is committed to upholding it. Anwar acknowledged the desire for a peaceful resolution whenever possible.

He further clarified that Malaysia's stance on territorial integrity is not new and has also been accepted by the United Nations. Anwar defended his position on territorial integrity by drawing a comparison with the United States, which maintained its stance during the American War of Independence to prevent its territories from breaking away. Despite respecting China's position, Anwar emphasized that a peaceful path is the best course of action.

The prime minister attributed the negative reactions to the way the issue was framed during the Al Jazeera interview. Anwar suggested that this framing might have prompted the criticism.