M'SIA HOPES FOR CHANGES IN US FOREIGN POLICY

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia hopes that the new United States
president, Barack Obama, will be able to bring about changes to the super
power's foreign policies and give less emphasis to unilateralism.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said the US should take an inclusive
approach in dealing with global issues.

"The US should not act alone or consult only the views of a coalition of
willing parties," he told reporters after witnessing the handing over of
documents pertaining to the restructuring of southern state of Negeri Sembilan
water supply services here.

The US, he said, should also strengthen its relations with multilateral
bodies such as the United Nations.

"The US should employ a mix of hard and soft power in dealing with
international issues," he said when asked about Malaysia's hopes for the new
president.

Najib said however, that he hoped that Obama would employ soft power more
than hard power as opposed to outgoing president George W. Bush, whom he said
had been using hard power to resolve conflicts.
-- BERNAMA