KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia continues to practice a pragmatic and friendly foreign policy with all parties without compromising the country's sovereignty or becoming a puppet of any foreign power, said Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and international) Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani.

Commenting on the criticism made in a recent issue of The Economist magazine, the political observer and international relations expert said the criticism seemed to portray Malaysia as a liberal country that supports all Western policies.

Mohd Azizuddin said Malaysia is not a liberal country but a sovereign country that has the right to determine its political, socio-economic and administrative direction according to its own practice and has adopted a neutral and open Foreign Relations Policy, which was to be friendly to anyone who could bring prosperity and national interests.