Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has sparked debate about his country's foreign policy stance, with his recent remarks on Taiwan fueling speculation that Malaysia may be leaning towards China. In an interview with Al Jazeera earlier this month, Anwar asserted Taiwan as part of China, and suggested potential use of force to protect Malaysia's unity if a state attempted to secede – comments praised by China but criticized by Taiwan. However, Anwar later clarified that Malaysia respects China's position while favoring peaceful resolution in the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, Anwar's call for bolstering Malaysia's defenses in Sabah has fueled Western concerns of a shift away from traditional non-alignment towards China. This comes as China increases its economic influence in Malaysia and represents Malaysia's largest trade partner. Anwar's seemingly pro-China stance also extends to his criticism of Israel, with Malaysia under Anawr being vocal in its opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza. However, some analysts argue that Anwar's position is a pragmatic recognition of territorial integrity rather than a strategic realignment. His later comments expressing concerns over US-backed bases in the Philippines can be linked to Malaysia's longstanding dispute with the Philippines over Sabah's status.