Origins of Malaysia’s Middle East Foreign Policy
In this episode of Diplomatic Dispatch, ASLI CEO Danial Rahman sat down with Dato’ Dr Ilango Karuppannan, Former Malaysian Ambassador and Senior Adjunct Fellow at RSIS, Nanyang Technological University, to trace the origins and evolution of Malaysia’s Middle East foreign policy.
They discussed the historical foundations shaping Malaysia’s engagement with the Middle East, the role of diplomacy, multilateralism, and principled neutrality, as well as how Malaysia’s foreign policy identity has been shaped by both regional realities and global shifts. Dato’ Dr Ilango also reflected on lessons from Malaysia’s diplomatic past that continue to inform its strategic outlook today.
This episode is part of ASLI’s Diplomatic Dynamics Series, where we engage with seasoned diplomats and thought leaders shaping Malaysia’s foreign policy discourse.
Watch the full interview on YouTube via the link below:
https://youtu.be/LK1B2IlAGyE?si=4uR9Kz25OVPSPsIq
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