Taiwan pauses Malaysia investment talks after Anwar remarks spark fury in Taipei
Malaysia is seeking to reassure Taiwanese investors that it remains a reliable destination for hi-tech manufacturing after Taipei suspended bilateral investment talks over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks on China, raising concerns over the future of semiconductor investments in the Southeast Asian nation. Taiwan confirmed on Tuesday that it had paused negotiations scheduled for late…
Malaysia has halted bilateral investment discussions with Taiwan following remarks by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, which provoked outrage in Taipei. The talks, set to conclude in late October, were paused by Taiwan after Anwar stated Taiwan "is part of China, period" and likened Beijing's potential use of force to Malaysia blocking a state's secession.
Malaysian Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani emphasized the nation's commitment to constructive economic ties with Taiwan, reiterating its long-standing one-China policy established in 1974. Taiwan's foreign ministry spokesperson Hsiao Kuang-wei defended the suspension, stating it aimed to safeguard sovereignty, economic security, and investor interests while maintaining contact with Kuala Lumpur.
The suspension comes after Anwar's comments in August, which Taipei deemed as condoning China's forceful annexation and damaging political trust. China welcomed Anwar's stance, while the US and its allies support Taiwan's right to self-determination. Taiwan remains Malaysia's fourth-largest trading partner, with semiconductor projects still underway, but the halt highlights concerns over the future of investments in the region.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
