When Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Was Sworn in As Prime Minister on Nov 24, He Received Congratulatory Messages From Leaders.
United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken tweeted that Washington looked forward to strengthening its comprehensive partnership and advancing a more "sustainable, secure, inclusive, and prosperous Malaysia and Indo Pacific".
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida conveyed his determination to strengthen ties and promote cooperation to the realisation of a "free and open Indo Pacific".
The Canadian high commissioner looked forward to advance the long-standing friendship and boost cooperation of both countries to a "free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific region".
The Indo Pacific is a combination of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean as one confluence.
The shift from Asia Pacific to Indo Pacific gives a contemporary geographical outlook with the merging of the Indian Ocean to fit a more integrated world.
The focus on the Indo Pacific is also a calculated response by the US to balance against China's economic and military power.
It brings regional partners — such as India, Japan, and Australia under the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue partnership — to address issues, such as a rule-based order in Asia, freedom of navigation and overflight in the maritime commons, respect for international law, and boosting maritime security and connectivity.
Malaysia is a littoral state situated between the Indian and the Pacific Oceans.
The shaping of the Indo Pacific represents an important maritime dynamic between countries and provides a crucial platform for sea lanes of communication, maritime connectivity and economic growth.
The contributions of the Indo Pacific to economic growth and maritime connectivity can lead countries to use the maritime domain for competition.
The US-led Indo Pacific, which aims to counter China through maritime aspects, can encourage maritime competition between states.
The Indo Pacific does not include China as a partner and is a result of the rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
Hence, Malaysia needs to be cautious in not showing any inclination to the US.
But it is also important that the China factor does not impact Malaysia's opportunity to gain from Indo-Pacific initiatives.
The US and Europe value the role Malaysia can play as a key maritime nation in Southeast Asia. Extended neighbours see Malaysia as a strategic partner.
When Anwar took office, Quad members stated an interest to work with Malaysia.
Australian High Commissioner Justin Lee expressed an interest to work with Malaysia under the "comprehensive strategic partnership".
Modi tweeted about working with Malaysia to strengthen "India-Malaysia enhanced strategic partnership".
Under the Indo Pacific, the US-Asean Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the US launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (Ipef) focuses on trade and economy.
Through Ipef, Malaysia can seek technical assistance to advance economic cooperation, mechanism for economic reform, and learn to govern their economies.
Malaysia can gain support to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the country and create a conducive business environment.
It also focuses on the digital economy.
Peace and security create a stable economy and attract FDI.
At the National Security Summit this year, the navy chief said the country's security landscape was changing and that the the military budget needed to be increased.
He mentioned the increasing Chinese military presence in the disputed South China Sea.
Post-15th General Election, he reemphasised the need to allocate more budget to strengthen naval capabilities.
While budget allocations remain a challenge, the Indo-Pacific initiative can find opportunities to improve and strengthen defence cooperation, link defence industrial bases, integrate defence supply chains, co-produce key technologies, transfer defence knowledge, and build a more resilient command and control.
To this end, the government should observe economic and security opportunities coming to the country, especially from the Indo Pacific, to develop and strengthen the economy and nation's defence.
The writer is the head of department, Strategic and Defence Studies, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia. Her area of expertise is the Indo Pacific