LETTERS: We have heard statements that Malaysia has many foreign policies. This is not true.
We can refer to Malaysia having adopted a foreign policy rather than several foreign policies towards a country or an organisation.
The misconception arose from the fact that we have not been able to distinguish between foreign policies and foreign relations. They are not one and the same.
Malaysia has established diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries and manages its foreign relations through the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) and the many diplomatic representatives abroad.
Yet, since obtaining independence in 1957, Malaysia has been pursuing a foreign policy that has been described as "constructive".
The other misconception to deal with is the need for a foreign policy. Why does a country need a foreign policy? Why does it need to get involved with foreign affairs?
The answer lies in the fact that no one country can survive alone in isolation. We, therefore, need to get involved in foreign relations to receive a reciprocal action from another country or groups of countries.
Yet, there have been claims that we have discriminated against certain countries and discarded old friends.
In recent times, the misconception lies in the fact that certain quarters have chosen to misunderstand the aims and purposes of our foreign policy decisions.
There have been occasions when our leaders have made statements abroad that might not echo our foreign policy with a particular country.
Having understood these misconceptions, we can now safely define what Malaysian foreign policy is all about.
Broadly defined, Malaysian foreign policy encompasses the historical context and determinants of the contemporary Malaysian role in world politics.
These include the major foreign policy concepts, main determinants in the foreign policy pursued and the actions of other states, and Malaysia's responses to them.
On record, the country's success in foreign policy comes through a visioning process and the politics of coalition building with successive governments under the leadership of the respective prime ministers, and in keeping pace with developments within the global environment.
Among the global trends that have impacted Malaysia's foreign policy extensively, one can list the following: ideology, regionalism, multilateralism, liberalisation and humanitarianism.
Finally, through a process of empowerment, participatory consultation, and inclusivity encompassed under the move towards being "globalwise" again, successive governments can make good on adopting a foreign policy that can ensure the continued prosperity and stability of our country.
DR AZHARI-KARIM
Former ambassador, Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times