The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world on its head. No nation was spared from its debilitating effects, as everything from economic activity to even simple trips to a public park ground to a near halt as governments struggled to rein in runaway infections and deaths.
Now, as countries re-emerge in a ‘New World’ where the coronavirus will be part of daily life for the foreseeable future, Malaysia too will have to reassess its immediate foreign policy priorities as it navigates a global landscape where a return to the time before COVID-19 may not be possible.
Malaysia’s guiding principles remain unchanged – a multicultural and resilient trading nation that champions moderation and tolerance in the pursuit of a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future.
But to navigate the post-pandemic ‘New World’, Malaysia will need to quickly establish its place and voice in several areas of immediate concern – from making health a global public good to meeting climate change objectives, from restoring and expanding on multilateral processes to promoting peaceful coexistence.
By keeping in step with the world’s immediate demands and challenges, Malaysia would be better positioned to protect its national interests while continuing to be a leading voice for the oppressed and for global equity.