Amid rising tensions between the United States and China, Malaysia is pursuing a careful hedging strategy to maintain its autonomy. Straddling these two major powers, Malaysia is increasingly impacted by their rivalry, particularly as China asserts itself in the South China Sea, where it encroaches on waters claimed by Malaysia.
While China is Malaysia’s top trading partner, its aggressive moves threaten Malaysian sovereignty and push Putrajaya to seek alternatives to protect its interests. Simultaneously, while the U.S. offers security assurances, aligning too closely with Washington is sensitive especially given recent public backlash in Malaysia over U.S. support for Israel.
In this context, Turkiye has emerged as a stabilizing partner, helping Malaysia reduce dependency on either superpower by diversifying its alliances. A key area of cooperation is defense: Malaysia has sought to expand beyond traditional Western suppliers by strengthening ties with Turkiye’s burgeoning defense industry.
Acquiring Turkish defense technology, such as the Anka-S UAVs has bolstered Malaysia’s maritime surveillance—a critical asset against China’s presence in disputed waters. Cultural ties also reinforce Malaysia-Turkiye relations. Turkish historical dramas like Diriliş: Ertuğrul have resonated with Malaysia’s Muslim population, enhancing Turkiye’s soft power and providing an alternative to Western media.
Politically, the shared Islamic values and mutual rapport between leaders Anwar Ibrahim and Recep Tayyip Erdogan further solidify the partnership. While Turkiye cannot replace the economic influence of China or the security leverage of the U.S., its role helps Malaysia diversify and stabilize its foreign relations.
By deepening ties with Turkiye, Malaysia bolsters its strategic autonomy, mitigating the risks of Sino-U.S. rivalry while maintaining a flexible diplomatic stance. Turkiye thus serves as an essential element in Malaysia’s broader effort to navigate the Indo-Pacific’s complex geopolitical landscape.
