HAVING long positioned itself as a champion of the Palestinian struggle for dignity and statehood, Malaysia cannot afford to adopt a wishy-washy stance on the on-going war between Israel and Iran.
To make matters worse, the US under the leadership of President Donald Trump has entered the fray by throwing its weight behind Israel and intensifying the conflict.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – once regarded as one of the most vocal supporters of the Palestinian cause – now appears to be retreating into ambiguity.
His recent calls for a cessation of hostilities fall short of the bold advocacy he was once known for. The bravado he exhibited in the past seems to have vanished into thin air.
While Anwar has condemned Israel, he has notably refrained from censuring the US for its role in fuelling the war. Is he afraid of confronting the so-called global superpower?
He is only able to offer a mild criticism on the world’s biggest economy by describing Washington’s interference in the Iran-Israel conflict as potentially worsening the situation and undermine regional stability as well as the global economy.
Selective condemnation
“Now, with the involvement of external powers, including the US, the situation will only become more volatile. If the Straits of Hormuz is blocked, it will pose a major problem to the global economy,” he told reporters after a session with the Sarawak PKR Leadership Council yesterday (June 22).
But this is a slap on the wrist at best. What Malaysia needs now is decisive leadership. Anwar should urgently convene a special session of Parliament to allow MPs to debate the conflict a conflict with potentially severe regional and global consequences.
Will Anwar dare to hold Israel and the US accountable for their diabolical roles in this escalating war? And will he also have the political courage to condemn Iran for its on-going involvement in proxy wars across the Middle East?
It is one thing to denounce Israel – a country with which Malaysia has no diplomatic relations – but quite another to challenge the US, especially under an erratic administration.
Anwar knows well that it is the US that sustains Israel’s military dominance. Yet he appears unwilling to speak the truth.
Malaysia’s support for the Palestinians risks becoming mere political rhetoric – empty gestures which lack substance and resolve.
Flying in a few injured Palestinians for treatment – while compassionate – is not enough to sustain the momentum of their decades-long fight for freedom and sovereignty.
Wake up, Malaysia. Your voice matters – now more than ever. – June 23, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Al-Jazeera English/YouTube
