Kuala lumpur: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has spent much of his time in office insisting that Kuala Lumpur will not be forced to choose between the United States and China. But two sets of comments last month have raised questions about how sustainable that position is as rivalry between the two superpowers increasingly spills into Southeast Asia.

According to Deutsche Welle, Anwar's recent statements have sparked debate about Malaysia's diplomatic stance. In an interview with news outlet Al Jazeera that aired on August 16, Anwar stated, "I see Taiwan as part of China, period." Beijing considers democratically governed Taiwan part of its territory and, while Chinese leaders say they favor "peaceful reunification," they have not ruled out using force to bring the island under Beijing's control.

More controversially, Anwar appeared to accept Beijing's argument that force could be necessary. He remarked, "If one province decides to break away. Do we use force? I think I will, [to] protect the sanctity and unity of the nation." These comments have intensified concerns over Malaysia's ability to maintain a neutral stance amidst growing tensions between the United States and China. The situation highlights the challenges faced by Southeast Asian countries as they navigate the complex geopolitical landscape shaped by the two superpowers' rivalry.