Malaysia's foreign policy to continue - Zambry

PUTRAJAYA: The main principles of Malaysia's foreign policy - such as the policy of neutrality as well as cooperation with other countries - will continue to be maintained, said the new Foreign Minister Senator Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

At the start of his official duties at Wisma Putra today, he said other aspects related to foreign policy, however, require an in-depth clarification and inspection from prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Elaborating, Zambry said several aspects requiring a review - such as relations with certain countries - will be a priority.

"In terms of focus, it should either be given to country A or country B. (On) this one, we need guidance from the prime minister, including certain issues that need to be addressed.

"For example, relations with ASEAN, one of the foreign policies that is very important to be given priority, relations with major powers, West Asia and so on," he said at a press conference after a gathering with Wisma Putra staff members, here, today.

When asked about issues close to Malaysia such as Palestine and Myanmar, he said the matter will firstly need to be discussed before he could make any statement about it.

Zambry was one of 25 new cabinet ministers who took the oath of office in front of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at Istana Negara on Saturday.

-- BERNAMA