Malaysia’s Narrative in the South China Sea: Leveraging the Public and National Partnerships

Bait Al Amanah (House of Trust) published an op-ed titled 'Malaysia’s Narrative in the South China Sea: Leveraging the Public and National Partnerships', authored by Fikry A. Rahman (Head of Foreign Affairs) and Karisma Putera Abd Rahman (Senior Analyst, Foreign Affairs). The South China Sea has increasingly become a geopolitical hotbed, with escalating tensions among regional actors. Malaysia, with its vast interests in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), remains dedicated to a non-confrontational yet assertive approach. This op-ed outlines Malaysia's strategy for the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of public awareness, strategic communication, and unified national partnerships.Fikry and Karisma argue for leveraging heightened public interest in the South China Sea issue to rally national support behind sovereignty and economic priorities. Additionally, the piece calls for fostering multilayered national partnerships that include public-private cooperation and coordination between federal and state levels. By adopting a proactive narrative and involving all sectors of society, Malaysia can better navigate the complexities of the South China Sea, ensuring its national interests are safeguarded.

The op-ed was published on Astro AWANI.