INITIAL MALAYSIAN REACTION TO U.S. PRESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000979 SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR EAP AND EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON KDEM KPAO MY SUBJECT: INITIAL MALAYSIAN REACTION TO U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Summary and Comment -------------- ¶1. (U) The U.S. presidential election result attracted major attention and immediate reactions in Malaysia on November 5. Foreign Minister Rais promptly issued a Malay language statement noting that Senator Obama's victory brings new possibilities in the bilateral relationship, and expressed hope that the new U.S. administration respects national sovereignty and does not prioritize force in dealing with global problems. International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin called for the incoming administration to play a critical role in resolving the international financial crisis, while questioning whether the U.S. would adopt protectionist measures. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim expressed "admiration" for Senator Obama and said Malaysia could learn something from the election of a racial minority, but stated he disagreed with Obama's Middle East positions. The Embassy hosted a well-attended election event, extensively covered by local media, with hundreds of Malaysian, diplomatic, and American citizen guests watching the conclusion of the U.S. election. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: The immediate Malaysian government and political reaction to the U.S. election results has been congratulatory and positive, with an undertone of caution and implied criticism of current U.S. policy. The initial Malaysian comments appeared geared foremost to the domestic audience. End Summary and Comment. Foreign Minister's Statement -------------- ¶3. (U) Foreign Minister Rais Yatim released a one-page Malay language statement on the "Victory of Barack Obama in the U.S. Presidential Election" several hours after the election results were broadcast in Malaysia the afternoon of November 5 local time. The Foreign Minister stated that, "Obama's victory is seen as bringing change and positive values in international relations.... Malaysia also welcomes his victory as a new beacon in the struggle to fulfill the demands of democracy.... Obama's victory brings about numerous new possibilities in international relations especially in U.S.-Malaysia bilateral relations in years to come. Malaysia will continue to maintain and increase the mutual harmonious relations with the new American administration." ¶4. (SBU) The statement concluded by expressing hope that the Obama Administration would act "with more respect for the sovereignty of small nations" and "not prioritize power and force as tools to resolve various global problems." (Comment: FM Rais' comment on sovereignty echoes his remarks before the UN General Assembly in September in which he called for respect of Malaysia's sovereignty, widely seen as a reference to U.S. public remarks regarding rule of law in Malaysia's on-going prosecution of Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. End Comment.) ¶5. (U) Minister for International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, speaking with reporters, offered congratulations to Senator Obama and said, "we would like to see America not only playing an important role but a critical role, particularly in trade with developing countries like (Malaysia)." Muhyiddin went on to say that, "Our concern is the economic and international crisis. The U.S. is faced with the most severe financial crisis. We want to see whether America under Obama will adopt a pro-protectionist policy to safeguard its domestic interests like employment, job creation, investment and businesses." ¶6. (U) The Foreign Ministry informed us that Prime Minister Abdullah would write to Senator Obama and transmit the congratulatory letter via Embassy Kuala Lumpur on October 6. Opposition Leader's Remarks -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Anwar Ibrahim, speaking to journalists in Parliament in the hours after the U.S. election result, reportedly said, "I know it is not easy to say anything positive about America, at least not in Malaysia, particularly not the way the media has been portraying me (as beholden to the U.S.)...But (Obama's) strength... is that he is prepared to engage. And this is very critical for the U.S." Anwar said that while disagreed with some of Senator KUALA LUMP 00000979 002 OF 002 Obama's foreign policy positions, noting that "some of his views regarding the Middle East conflict are quite disturbing," Anwar nevertheless had "great admiration for him personally." The Opposition leader stated that Obama, "represents the face that is willing to engage and have a meaningful dialogue...." In a reference to Malaysia's largely race-based politics dominated by the ethnic Malay majority, Anwar described as a "healthy and welcome trend" the situation in which "you have a black and minority leading as an American and not as a black person. We should learn from this." ¶8. (SBU) Comment: Anwar made his comments against the backdrop of the National Front government's frequent efforts to portray the Opposition leader as a U.S. puppet. Anwar's coalition includes the Islamist PAS party that has been highly critical of perceived U.S. policy in the Muslim world. End Comment. U.S. Embassy Event Well Attended, Extensive Media Coverage -------------- -------------- ¶9. (U) By the afternoon of November 5, most online versions of local Malaysian newspapers posted wire stories describing Obama's victory in the U.S. election. Local TV news networks covered the conclusion of the election from the ballroom of the Renaissance Hotel, where Embassy Kuala Lumpur held a large event to watch the returns along with hundreds of invited guests. Ambassador Keith was interviewed extensively by multiple local media outlets. National news agency Bernama provided live feed from the U.S. Embassy event throughout the morning of November 5, as polls closed and CNN projections came in declaring Senator Obama to be the winner. KEITH