This article first appeared in Forum, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on April 7, 2025 - April 13, 2025

“Each of us deserves the freedom to pursue our own version of happiness. No one deserves to be bullied.” — Barack Hussein Obama (1961 – present), 44th president of the US

Don’t you just hate bullies — the ones who thrive on taking advantage of and dominating the weak and defenceless? Well, you are not alone.

I grew up in an all-boys environment, in a school hostel in south Kedah more than 55 years ago. There, teenage boys between the ages of 12 and 17 lived and studied together under the watchful eye of the hostel master.

But boys will be boys, and there were always the occasional fistfights (or rumbles, as we used to call them) and bullying, where the bigger boys would prey on the smaller ones in the dormitories and on the playing fields.

I was one of the smaller boys and, while we would tolerate small intimidations, some of us learnt to fight back when our limits were breached. If a rumble started, we would always be the ones who got hit more. But we soon learnt that if we landed a good punch, the bully would think twice about engaging with us again. We learnt early that bullies are basically cowards, and they would seldom pick on someone who would fight back.

I see the same behaviour displayed by a certain country that has just chosen its 47th president. To start his second term with a bang and make his country great again, the president has begun intimidating his allies and foes alike with bullying behaviour that some say has no place in international politics. Wild, politically incorrect statements, sanctions and tariffs are his intimidation weapons of choice and while the effectiveness of these actions is being debated, world trade and geopolitical relations are being sorely tested.

The country’s recent actions have affected everyone globally. Malaysia and her Asean neighbours are not sheltered, and as Asean’s chair country in 2025, our nation must engineer a balance so this regional grouping will continue to be relevant in the near future. I list here some of the impacts of the trade wars, tariffs, sanctions and other policies that I believe have visited our nation and Asean countries in particular.

The current East-West trade war: On a platform that can only be described as “might is right”, that president has continued his tariff and sanctions war against China, disrupting global supply chains in the process. This has affected Asean economies, many of which rely on trade with the powers involved. Malaysia, as a key exporter of electronics and palm oil, faces uncertainty in these tumultuous times.

The end of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP): When he did not agree to some clauses in the partnership agreement between his nation and Asean, this 47th president pulled his country out of the TPP in 2017 (when he was the 45th president), not realising that the act would weaken his country’s economic influence in the region and force the Asean nations to adjust and continue with the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) without them.

Its South China Sea policy: When that country’s administration took a tougher stance on China’s territorial claims, including more frequent freedom-of-navigation operations, its commitment to Asean security became inconsistent. Malaysia, and her neighbours that have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, had to navigate between earning that country’s support and avoiding tensions with China, a move that has threatened geopolitical stability in the region.

Reduced Asian presence: Compared with previous administrations, this president deprioritised Asean in his country’s foreign policy (because he thinks he can), leading to concerns about a security vacuum that China might want to fill.

Focus on bilateral deals: Instead of regional agreements, this president prefers one-on-one trade deals, because they showcase his mastery of the Art of the Deal. Malaysia now has to negotiate trade issues independent of Asean. The “unity is strength” platform on which Asean was formed 58 years ago, will be tested as member countries vie with each other to be that president’s preferred Southeast Asian partner. If his end is to “divide and conquer”, this would be a textbook step in that direction.

In short, the list of actions engineered by the president can only be seen as bullying tactics, done to strengthen his nation as other countries continue to be weak and unable to retaliate measure for measure.

The main lesson we learnt as “hostelites” (as hostel boys were called then) is this: dealing with a bully — whether in personal life, the workplace or politics — requires a mix of strategy, confidence and resilience. Please allow me to share some of the wisdom I gleaned at a much younger age, as advice and a reminder to our own Malaysian leaders.

1. Don’t engage bullies on their terms: Bullies (like that second-term president) thrive on attention and conflict. Social media is their battlefield. If you respond with emotional outrage, they gain power. Instead, stay composed and refuse to be drawn into their game. They can percolate in their own nastiness, but do not let them “get” to you.

2. Use facts, not insults when you engage: Bullies often rely on exaggeration and manipulation. Counter their rhetoric with clear, fact-based arguments. Avoid personal attacks — stick to the truth and let it speak for itself. Again, stay composed — they cannot maintain their “false”’ façade for long.

3. Mock, don’t rage: Humour and satire are powerful tools. Instead of getting angry, make them look foolish. High-profile bullies, especially, struggle when people laugh at them rather than fear them.

4. Set firm boundaries: Bullies push limits to see how far they can go. Set clear boundaries and unite to enforce them consistently, whether in personal interactions or public discourse. Make them aware that there are consequences for their intimidating actions.

5. Expose their weaknesses: Despite their bravado, bullies often have deep insecurities. Find the cracks in their armour — whether it’s their need for approval, financial interests or contradictions — and use them strategically. Use their need for affirmation against them. Bullies are almost always uncomfortable when put on the defensive.

6. Stand together: Bullies succeed when they isolate their targets. Build alliances, speak up collectively and support those under attack. Unity makes it harder for them to single people out.

7. Don’t be afraid to fight back: If necessary, unite and push back forcefully but strategically. Meet strength with strength — whether through legal action, political manoeuvring or direct confrontation. Just be sure to choose your battles wisely.

8. Let them self-destruct: Bullies often overreach and create their own downfall. Sometimes, the best response is patience — waiting for them to trip over their own arrogance or contradictions. Otherwise, set a trap to push them towards that objective.

The world in the 21st century has changed — unipolarity on the global stage is no longer the norm. The rise of a multipolar world with the West on one side, and Russia and China on the other is now a reality. The “Old World Order” needs to get used to that idea.

We need to continue to prepare and fight for a fairer New World Order. There is no more room for bully tactics. For the sake of their citizens, smaller countries must focus on their own self-worth and build bridges. Surround yourself with allies and speak up when needed. Take Canada and Denmark as shining examples. I believe other countries such as Mexico, perhaps even the European Union, will take a stronger stance against these unfair trade and military treatments. Bullies aim to make you doubt yourself. Remind yourself of your strengths, accomplishments and the support you have from others.

Also, you must know when to walk away. Sometimes, disengagement is the most powerful response. A bully loses power when he can no longer get a reaction from you.

Zakie Shariff is executive chairman of Kiarafics Sdn Bhd, a strategy consulting group. He is also an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang.

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