(from left) Economist Woo Wing Thye, moderator Wong Chin Huat, and political analyst Marc Saxer during a panel discussion at the launch of Saxer's book.KUALA LUMPUR: Economist Woo Wing Thye has called for "middle power" nations, including Malaysia, to form a coalition among themselves amid intensifying rivalry between global superpowers.The former United Nations adviser for East Asian economies said major powers like the US and China were attempting to expand their spheres of influence to strengthen their negotiating positions."Of course, countries like Malaysia will want to maintain their neutrality in these times, ideally increasing their economic prosperity while still trading with everyone."However, this neutrality naturally unravels the superpowers’ military alliances. It’s an invitation for annihilation," he said at the launch of political analyst Marc Saxer’s book titled "Geopolitical Conflict in the Wolf World".Woo said it was therefore critical for middle powers to band together, particularly through larger, independent nations like New Zealand, Australia and South Korea, forming a coalition alongside the Asean bloc.However, Saxer argued that no Asian country would want to be constricted by the rigidity of a permanent alliance.He said choosing a side meant these nations would have to be able to withstand the pressure of "the US or China breathing down your neck".Saxer said it would be better for countries like Malaysia to seek flexible, issue-based partnerships with various countries, using simpler issues such as biodiversity and debt restructuring to test whether these alliances would work."No country really wants to be a middle power, so it is pointless to keep steering the global discussion in that direction," he added.
Summary from source