Introduction
Malaysia’s relations with the United States began in 1957 when the then Malaya (later Malaysia from 16 September 1963) achieved independence from Britain on 31st August 1957. With China, however, diplomatic relations were established only since 1974 when Malaysia’s second Prime Minster, Tun Abdul Razak visited Beijing in May of that year. With the United States, in terms of political ideology, both countries subscribe to the notion of democracy as the best possible ideology that can ensure freedom, equality, equity and justice for all its citizenry These democratic values include freedom of expression with certain constitutional restraints to prevent system breakdown, commitment to peaceful change, and support for international law and organisation. In the economic dimension, both countries are committed to practice free enterprise although circumstances based on need for economic stability have necessitated different types of State intervention in the economy. Ideologically and politically, as members of the United Nations, both Malaysia and the United States acknowledge the role of the Nation-State as the organizing basis of political legitimacy and international participation.
With respect to China, ideological differences had first to be overcome, hence the late start. As an anti-communist nation, Malaysia adopted a more pro-western orientation during the peak of Cold War, and switched to a more neutral and non-aligned posture when it became clear that both Britain and the United States were preparing to fully withdraw militarily from Southeast Asia by the late 1960s and early 1970s. Malaysia premier Tun Abdul Razak (1970-1976) ‘was also equally aware that the U.S. was shifting gears vis-à-vis China and was making preparations to jettison it hardline Containment policy against the Communist nation’ (Nathan 2016, 64).The establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1967 followed by the ZOPFAN (Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality) in Kuala Lumpur on 1971 necessitated a re-orientation of Malaysian foreign policy towards external powers guided by the principle of equidistance.
