Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has asserted that Malaysia will maintain its relationship with Hamas and will not act on foreign pressures to penalize the group. Addressing parliament, Anwar made a clear stance in response to a US proposal to impose sanctions on Hamas’s international supporters, a proposition that recently passed in the US House of Representatives.
Anwar’s comments were a firm reiteration of Malaysia’s support for Palestinians, a stance that has been a significant aspect of Malaysian foreign policy for decades. The prime minister emphasized the country’s adherence to UN Security Council decisions over unilateral actions by individual countries.
Malaysia’s allegiance to the Palestinian cause is deeply rooted and widely supported among its citizens. As a Muslim-majority nation that does not diplomatically recognize Israel, Malaysia has consistently called for a two-state solution as a condition for such recognition. Kuala Lumpur, the capital, is known for hosting conferences addressing Palestinian issues.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, at 76, has been a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights since his university days. The issue has gained more traction in the country with mass gatherings and prayer rallies becoming a common response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
However, Anwar’s support for Hamas has been highlighted not only by his political discourse but also through cultural expressions, as seen with the viral TikTok video of teachers simulating militants during Palestine Solidarity Week. Anwar’s reaction to this video was a call for educational institutions to ensure proper conduct during such observances.
The Malaysian leader’s stance is also viewed through the lens of domestic politics, where maintaining a robust position on the Palestinian issue is politically expedient. With religious conservatism on the rise and his support wavering among the Malay-Muslim community, Anwar cannot afford to be perceived as weak on what is seen as a critical foreign policy issue.
Previously criticized for not being assertive enough against Israel, Anwar has now taken a firmer stance amidst the recent Israel-Gaza conflicts. He has stressed that Hamas, as the elected government in Gaza, should not be condemned but understood in its context, drawing a parallel with the African National Congress’s fight against apartheid.
On the media front, Anwar has urged outlets to recognize the plight of the Palestinians and the sensitivities of the Malaysian people towards the issue, advocating for a portrayal of Hamas that aligns with the national perspective.
