Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has fired up the geopolitical chat with a bold declaration: \"We won't succumb to their pressure\" unless Washington presents 'compelling evidence' of Chinese misconduct. The statement comes as U.S. tech restrictions on China ripple through global markets.
Anwar emphasized prioritizing Malaysia's interests, telling reporters: \"Why should we mimic others blindly? Let them show us proof first.\" The tech-savvy nation – home to Southeast Asia's booming semiconductor industry – appears unwilling to take sides in the U.S.-China tech cold war.
Analysts suggest this stance reflects ASEAN's growing assertiveness in navigating superpower tensions. Malaysia exported $7.4B worth of electronics to China last year alone – economic ties that could make Washington' restrictions a tough sell.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com