In today’s rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, nations are forced to navigate an increasingly complex and precarious set of global alignments. The world is not yet fully multipolar, but we are seeing more nuanced forms of engagement that can be described as “multi-multi” behavior.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto are two leaders navigating this shifting landscape through a “multi-multi” strategy. Anwar’s foreign policy approach has often been described as a balancing act, engaging with China, the United States, India, and Pakistan to maintain strategic relationships.
However, Anwar’s strategy goes beyond mere balancing and aims to reposition Malaysia in a world rapidly embracing multipolarity. By engaging with emerging economies and joining groups like Brics, Anwar seeks to strengthen Malaysia’s ties with rising economic powers, positioning the country as an active participant in the global transformation.