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. 📈💼
