As China seeks to reshape the global order, Malaysia’s political instability offers a cautionary tale about the challenges Beijing may face abroad. At the centre of this ambition are Xi’s four global initiatives : on development, security, civilisation and governance. Malaysia has emerged as an important partner in these efforts, particularly Xi’s Global Civilisation Initiative . Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Xi have promoted dialogue between Confucian and Islamic traditions, reflecting a shared interest in advancing a more pluralistic global order rooted in civilisational understanding. Malaysia’s two major Malay-based parties, Umno and PAS, united around a familiar message: that Malay and Muslim interests could only be protected through greater political solidarity among Malays against non-Malay parties.