Love Him Hate Him Pmx Is Malaysia S Best Premier In Terms Of Foreign Policy Achievements

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IF YOU were to ask anyone who the top three most important world leaders today are, the almost unanimous answer would be American President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Judging from his stellar achievements, however, it looks increasingly likely that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will succeed in becoming the one and only global leader who has managed to bring all three paramount leaders to their shores.
Speaking at Ambank Group’s 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary Dinner recently, PMX confirmed that Trump will visit Malaysia next month in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit.

Trump himself called Anwar to convey his intention to attend – joining Chinese Premier Li Qiang – who has also confirmed his attendance.
On top of that, Anwar revealed that Putin is also “seriously considering” visiting Malaysia following a recent meeting between the two leaders in Beijing.

For a mid-sized country like Malaysia, this is unprecedented. I doubt there are other nations of our size has been able to achieve what Anwar is on the brink of accomplishing.
What Anwar has done for us arguably surpasses what the leader of bigger and more well-endowed countries have achieved for their country.
PMX’s feat not a matter of luck
In terms of foreign policy, I think Anwar might rank as the best-performing Prime Minister Malaysia has ever had. To find someone who could rival his achievement, one would have to look back to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first reign more than 25 years ago.

In contrast, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s foreign policy records are so subpar, that they are not worth mentioning in the same breath as Anwar’s excellence.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak did better than most – his crowning achievement being the visit of then US president Barack Obama in April 2014 but even Najib’s successes cannot compare to what Anwar has managed to pull off.

Anwar’s foreign policy success is not a matter of luck. It is a testimony to his skill as a consummate politician, his ability to read the hearts and minds of people and his knack for positioning Malaysia as a trusted partner – even among great powers that are increasingly untrusting of each other.

When President Xi decided to tour the world at a time that America was starting a tariff war with China, among the three countries he chose to go visit to show America that China also has friends in the world, is Malaysia.
Just a week ago, Anwar had succeeded in getting China to endorse Malaysia to become a full member of BRICS.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (left) with China’s President Xi Jinping (Image credit: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook)Credit must be given if due
Despite Trump’s punitive tariff and opposition to Malaysia’s stance with regard to the Palestinian cause, Anwar was still able to get Trump to come to our shore next month.
When Anwar visited Russia in May, his rapport with the Putin was so excellent that the latter was not only joking with him like an old friend but is now seriously considering visiting Malaysia even at a time when Russia is engaged in a fierce and bloody war with Ukraine.
Datuk Seri Amwar Ibrahim and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Image: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim)I have no doubt that future Malaysian leaders may exceed him in economic management or domestic reforms – but surpassing Anwar’s foreign policy achievement will be difficult.
Before Anwar, Singapore would have been the answer to the question, “Which Southeast Asian nation has the eyes of the world upon it?” Today, thanks to Anwar, the answer is Malaysia.
And Anwar’s record extends beyond just bringing global leaders here. Notably, he recently played a key role in securing a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand whose deadly border clashes had displaced thousands.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as ASEAN 2005 chairman (middle) brokers the Thai-Cambodian peace accord between Cambodian PM Hun Manet and then Thai acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai in Putrajaya on July 28, 2025 (Image credit: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook)For this, Anwar – alongside Trump who also claimed credit – was even touted as a potential candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
While his outspoken support for the Palestinian cause has drawn mixed reactions at home, in the Muslim world it has elevated him to the status of a leading voice as one of the few leaders speaking out boldly on Palestine at the global stage.
In the three years Anwar has been in power, I have had a gamut of feelings about him. Sometimes, I think he lies too much.
At other times, I see him as a true friend of the working class. Sometimes, I suspect he harbours dictatorial ambitions.
At other times, I believe he is the only one capable of preparing Malaysia for the challenges ahead – holding the federation together amid economic headwinds, separatist rumblings and racial-religious divisions.

But today, whatever else I may think of him, I must add one more entry to that mixed list of impressions: Anwar is the PM with the most outstanding foreign policy achievement in Malaysia’s history.
Whatever dissatisfaction Malaysians may feel about him – whatever shortcomings he may have – what cannot be denied is this: Anwar has put us back on the map.
Nehru Sathiamoorthy is a roving tutor who loves politics, philosophy and psychology.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.
- Focus Malaysia

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