Kuala Lampur, Oct. 25 -- Donald Trump's rare visit to Malaysia has reignited a familiar refrain in diplomatic circles - that Malaysia must continue its delicate "balancing act" between the United States and China. Yet that reading no longer captures the spirit of Malaysian foreign policy under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysia today is not balancing between two poles. It is pursuing what may best be described as omni-directional dynamism - a forward-looking, multidimensional engagement that expands diplomatic and economic options while preserving national autonomy.

Trump's stop in Kuala Lumpur, his first since leaving office, underscores how Malaysia has become a necessary meeting point for multiple powers. As chair of A...