When Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched Dr Yan Lijin’s book in Beijing on September 2, it looked like a scene crafted for history. A Malaysian leader standing beside a Chinese scholar who penned “Malaysia, Truly Asia: A Country That Captivates the Heart” a book that not only lauds our nation’s natural beauty and cultural depth but also highlights Malaysia’s place in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). For many, it was a moment of pride. Here was Malaysia, not just mentioned in passing, but placed at the centre of a narrative written for the world’s largest development project.
But the question is: whose story is this really?
The Power of Narratives
We often think of geopolitics in terms of trade numbers, military might, or infrastructure projects. Yet narratives matter just as much. Books, films, and speeches can shift perception, inspire investment, and shape public opinion. Anwar is not wrong to embrace this symbolic moment. To have a Chinese intellectual frame Malaysia as a bridge between East and West is valuable. It tells Beijing’s policymakers and investors that Malaysia is more than a transit hub it is a partner with cultural, economic, and ecological significance.
Soft power has always been Malaysia’s quiet strength. Our multicultural identity, religious pluralism, and historical role as a meeting point on the Straits of Malacca are not just tourism slogans; they are assets in global diplomacy. When Dr Yan writes about Malaysia’s traditions alongside its modern ambitions, it underscores this unique positioning. Anwar, by launching the book, signals that Malaysia understands the currency of narratives.
The Symbolism and the Substance
But admiration on paper is not the same as benefit on the ground. This is where the symbolism must meet substance. Malaysians are right to ask: will this literary praise translate into more equitable investments, technology transfers, or stronger safeguards for sovereignty? Or are we simply being painted as the “poster child” of BRI while the real gains flow elsewhere?
We have seen before how glossy narratives can obscure hard realities. Consider how many infrastructure projects announced with fanfare ended up delayed, overpriced, or disproportionately benefiting foreign contractors. The rakyat does not need another photo opportunity in Beijing; they need jobs, opportunities, and assurance that Malaysia’s role in BRI serves Malaysians first.
The Risks of Outsourced Storytelling
There is also the deeper issue of narrative control. While it is flattering for a Chinese scholar to celebrate Malaysia, we must be wary of allowing others to write our story for us. In the world of geopolitics, storytelling is never neutral it is strategy. If Malaysia’s image within BRI is shaped primarily by Chinese voices, we risk being cast in a role that suits Beijing more than Putrajaya.
It is not paranoia, but pragmatism, to ask: does this portrayal emphasise Malaysia’s independence and agency, or does it frame us as an extension of China’s global ambitions? Are we co-authors, or merely characters? These questions matter, because narratives shape policy and perception in ways that can outlast contracts and agreements.
Malaysia’s True Leverage
To be fair, Malaysia does have leverage. Our geography makes us indispensable to BRI. Situated at the maritime crossroads, we are the literal meeting point of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. No global infrastructure plan can bypass the Straits of Malacca. Our ports, our air routes, and our digital economy hubs matter.
This gives us bargaining power if we use it wisely. Anwar must ensure that every symbolic gesture is backed by strategic negotiation. A book launch in Beijing is fine, but what Malaysians want to see next are concrete outcomes: balanced trade deals, green technology partnerships, and investments that uplift local industries rather than overshadow them.
A Cautionary Reminder
We should also remember that Malaysia has walked this path before. During Mahathir Mohamad’s time, both in his first and second premiership, we navigated the delicate balance of welcoming investment while resisting dominance. Mahathir famously warned against “new colonialism” even as he sought Chinese capital. That tension remains today.
Admiration is not protection. Being called “a country that captivates the heart” will not safeguard us from debt traps or lopsided agreements. For that, we need clear-eyed policymaking and a government that places rakyat interests above international pageantry.
The Way Forward: Co-Authoring the Story
So where does this leave us? The balanced path is clear: Malaysia should welcome narratives that highlight our strengths, but we must also write our own. That means publishing Malaysian scholarship on BRI, commissioning our own studies, and ensuring that local voices academics, writers, economists shape how we are portrayed to the world.
It also means transparency in government dealings with China. If the rakyat see that symbolic gestures are backed by real, measurable benefits, confidence grows. If not, the book launch risks looking like a soft sell instead of soft power.
Conclusion
Anwar’s launch of Dr Yan Lijin’s book is a reminder of how powerful stories can be in international relations. It positions Malaysia as more than just a participant in BRI it casts us as an admired and respected nation. That is no small achievement. But admiration must be matched with agency.
Malaysia’s role in the Belt and Road should not be ghostwritten. It should be co-authored, shaped by Malaysians, and grounded in policies that protect our sovereignty and serve our people. Pride in another’s pen is fine. But true progress will come when Malaysia picks up the pen itself.
Write opinion columns that reclaim narratives, ensuring Malaysia’s story in global affairs is told with agency, balance, and vision - Annan Vaithegi
Annan Vaithegi (annanvaithegi@icloud.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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