MALAYSIA must strengthen its alliances, particularly within ASEAN and with international partners, to build national resilience and public confidence in the face of external economic pressures, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.
Speaking at the launch of upgrading works at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh, Anwar responded to the United States' recently announced tariffs by emphasising proactive domestic strategies over complaints.
“With the tariff announcement by US President Donald Trump, should we simply complain, or should we be proactive and do something about it?” Bernama quoted him saying.
“The most important thing is to build our domestic capacity and instill confidence among the people that we can stand on our own, that we can grow with our strength, leveraging the expanding networks within ASEAN, Asia, China, India, Australia, Japan, Korea, and by opening new markets in Europe.”
Anwar, who also serves as Malaysia’s Finance Minister, underscored the importance of regional relationships and trade diversification, especially as the country prepares to chair ASEAN in 2025.
He said these themes were central to recent discussions with ASEAN leaders and during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia.
He also revealed that upcoming official visits from international leaders, including Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, reflect Malaysia’s active diplomatic outreach.
Anwar said he had held virtual discussions on market expansion and tourism with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“One of the key discussions within ASEAN is how we can boost intra-ASEAN tourism. We must compete by improving our facilities, infrastructure, and the efficiency of our officials,” he said.
Commenting on the US tariffs — which include a 24 per cent levy on Malaysian imports but have been postponed for 90 days — Anwar framed the challenge as an opportunity for Malaysia to reassert its economic sovereignty through strategic investments.
He highlighted the government’s increased funding for transport infrastructure as part of this push, including highways, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), and airport upgrades. These, he said, are not mere expenditures but vital investments in growth, connectivity, and tourism.
“These are not just expenditures, but strategic investments that drive growth and connectivity. With the involvement of private initiatives and companies like Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the financial burden on the government can be reduced,” he said.
“These improvements were made possible through internally generated funding, reducing the financial strain on the federal government while allowing MAHB greater operational flexibility.”
Turning to the airport project itself, Anwar said that the expansion of Sultan Azlan Shah Airport would have a wide-reaching impact across commerce, industry, and tourism.
“In the past, plans to expand and upgrade this airport were stalled due to low demand for flights between Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh. Many people preferred to travel by road,” he said. “However, there are now broader plans to expand regional air connectivity, such as from Senai, Singapore, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching, which could emerge as distinct aviation hubs in their own right.”
The airport upgrade includes the expansion of terminal space, improved check-in and arrival areas, enhanced immigration services, and upgrades to CCTV and scanning infrastructure.
Anwar was joined at the event by Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming, and Perak Chief Minister Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad. - April 25, 2025
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