Malaysia’s decision to exit a Saudi-led military alliance that has been backing government forces in Yemen is a sign of Putrajaya’s increasing independence in matters of foreign policy after nearly a decade of adopting a docile approach to big powers, says an academic who specialises in the Middle East. James M Dorsey, who is currently attached to RSIS, said this was also true of several decisions by Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s government, including the closure of the Saudi-backed King Salman Centre for International Peace last August, and the prime minister’s open criticism of US policies under President Donald Trump.