International affiliations: UN and many of its specialized agencies, including UNESCO; World Bank, International Monetary Fund, International Atomic Energy Agency; General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade; [Association of Southeast Asian Nations]?; Asian Development Bank; [Five-Power Defense Arrangement]?; [South-South Commission]? (G-15?); Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); Commonwealth; Non-Aligned Movement; Organization of Islamic Conference; and INTELSAT?.
Disputes - international: involved in a complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with Peoples Republic of China, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Philippines have not fully revoked claim to [Sabah State]?; two islands in dispute with Singapore; Sipadan? and [Ligitan Islands]? in dispute with Indonesia
Illicit drugs: transit point for some illicit drugs going to Western markets; drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously and carries severe penalties, the most severe being death sentence.