KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia’s diplomatic relations with the political wing of Palestinian group Hamas amid mounting criticism from Western nations over its ties with an organisation they label a terrorist organisation.
In an interview with German news outlet DW’s chief international editor, Richard Walker, Anwar was questioned about Malaysia’s stance on Hamas, particularly in light of the group’s alleged involvement in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians on October 7 last year.
Anwar, however, stood firm, emphasising Malaysia’s commitment to engaging with Hamas as the democratically elected administration of the people in the conflict-stricken Gaza Strip.
“In response to the position taken by leaders in Europe and the US, how do you continue to engage, respect, honour, and give credit to (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu and the government of Israel for the continued killing of 30,000 children, women, and civilians?” Anwar countered, highlighting what he perceived as Western hypocrisy in their dealings with Israel.
When pressed further on Malaysia’s relationship with Hamas, Anwar clarified that the engagement was primarily with the political wing, not the military faction, and stressed the importance of recognising Hamas as a legitimate representative of the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Anwar drew parallels between Malaysia’s engagement with Hamas and its interactions with other controversial entities, citing discussions with Myanmar’s military junta as an example.
“That’s why I say there are contradictions abound. What I mean is that if you do not want to speak with Hamas, who do you want to speak to?
“Given the limitations at present, when an area is colonised and harassed on a daily basis, you talk about democratic elections, you don’t talk about the killings. You don’t talk about dispossession; you don’t talk about the land being taken; you don’t talk about the children being killed; you don’t talk about the schools being destroyed. That’s my contention.
“And then, of course, Hamas (is being branded) as a terrorist group. I will ask you, Germany has colonised countries, the French or the Italians (have done the same), all the freedom fighters resort to ways that you cannot defend under normal international rule.”
He argued that in conflict zones like Gaza, diplomatic engagement with the ruling authority, regardless of international perceptions, is crucial for addressing humanitarian concerns and working towards peace.
The prime minister also challenged the Western narrative on Hamas, pointing to historical instances where freedom fighters, including Nelson Mandela had been involved in armed struggle.
However, Walker pointed out that Mandela did not order the killing of a thousand people, similar to Hamas, which Anwar promptly corrected.
“Well, you better pick up your history, because Mandela was part of the ANC (African National Congress), which was involved in some actions (that resulted in the deaths of people). But people accept that because of the way (South Africans) were treated, discriminated against, killed, and dispossessed.”
Walker’s insistence on condemning Hamas’s actions prompted Anwar to reiterate his disapproval of civilian casualties on all sides of the conflict.
The prime minister emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to address the root causes of violence and suffering in the region, urging a shift away from selective outrage based on racial or national identities.
Anwar arrived in Berlin on March 10 for a six-day official visit to Germany.
On Friday, Anwar said that Germany and Malaysia must both use their influence to reach an amicable solution to Israel’s war on Gaza, despite their opposing views on the issue.
“What is important is for us (Malaysia), and for Germany to use our influence to reach an amicable resolution to the problem. What is needed now is a permanent ceasefire,” Anwar said in an interview with the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).
In the interview, Anwar credited German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for being “very accommodating” in seeking to understand the position of Malaysia, being a predominantly Muslim country, towards Gaza and Hamas, Bernama reported.
Anwar’s rebuke of Western hypocrisy over Israel’s war in Gaza, made while in Germany during his official visit this week, is being shared widely on social media to much acclaim, including from prominent international personalities.
The Pakatan Harapan chairman has several times called out the West’s inconsistency as they side with Israel and refuse to support a ceasefire in Gaza, yet he condemns Russia’s war on Ukraine.
His recent reiteration of this stance, however, drew particular attention as it was made in Germany, which supports Israel despite its dark past over the Holocaust. It was also delivered while Anwar was standing with Scholz in a press conference on March 11. – March 16, 2024
