Malaysia unfairly maligned in Hamas allegations, says academic

A LEADING academic in defence and international relations has denounced recent allegations made by former US Treasury counterterrorism analyst Jonathan Schanzer, who claimed Malaysia has long served as an operational hub for Hamas, as “dangerous, unfounded, and diplomatically reckless”.

Professor Dr Mohd Mizan Mohd Aslam of the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM) warned that such accusations not only tarnish the country's international image but also threaten bilateral ties between Kuala Lumpur and Washington.

“This is a serious allegation because it can have implications for Malaysia’s security, politics, and position in international diplomacy,” he said. “Such statements damage the nation’s image and risk misrepresenting our foreign policy, which has consistently championed global peace.”

Dr Mizan argued that these allegations tend to surface whenever Malaysia asserts its unwavering support for the Palestinian cause. “This is not the first time such claims have emerged. They often resurface when certain parties seek to pressure Malaysia over its principled stand on Palestine.”

He countered Schanzer’s remarks by highlighting the documented history of Western double standards in the region, pointing to past US support for groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) despite their designation as terrorist entities by the CIA and the US government itself.

More controversially, he noted that “Israel’s actions qualify as state-sponsored terrorism” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich having publicly admitted to funding groups to combat Hamas.

“Israel’s repeated strikes on civilians in Palestine are clear acts of terrorism as acknowledged by the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT),” Dr Mizan said.

“To point fingers at Malaysia as a Hamas operational hub is not only inaccurate but a blatant example of double standards.”

He reiterated that Malaysia remains firmly opposed to terrorism in all its forms, while continuing to advocate for a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“The Malaysian government will treat this matter with utmost caution. Making allegations without solid evidence only poisons diplomatic relations. The international community must rely on facts, not political rhetoric,” he added.

Dr Mizan went further to suggest that Israel and the United States have little interest in true peace, pointing to the targeted killings of key peace negotiation figures such as Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and Al-Hayya. “Peace is the ‘end game’ these powers seek to prevent,” he claimed.

Schanzer, now Executive Director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), drew criticism after a post on platform X accused Malaysia of hosting Hamas operations and claimed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “is not interested in peace.”

 The post followed Anwar’s firm statement reaffirming Malaysia’s support for Palestine and calling for the severance of ties with Israel in light of ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.

The post has since gone viral, drawing nearly a million views, much of it backlash from Malaysian social media users accusing Schanzer of perpetuating political smear campaigns rather than presenting verified intelligence.

As Putrajaya continues to engage with the global community on Middle Eastern peace, voices like Dr Mizan’s reflect growing frustration within Malaysia’s academic and diplomatic circles over what they see as politicised misinformation designed to undermine legitimate foreign policy positions. - September 21, 2025