PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has taken aim at critics who question Malaysia’s assistance to Gaza, describing such views as lacking humanitarian value and compassion.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said Malaysia had channelled approximately RM100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza over the past two to three years, despite peace initiatives undertaken by United States President Donald Trump.
He said the aid was provided purely on humanitarian grounds, citing repeated violations of ceasefire agreements by the Israeli regime and ongoing crimes against the Palestinian population.
“Continuous violations, hundreds of violations of the agreement have been carried out by the Israeli regime. Small children and women continue to be killed… most mosques and even churches have been destroyed,” he said during a briefing with editors-in-chief from local and international media on Wednesday.
Also present were Malaysian National News Agency Bernama chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj. The briefing was attended by 92 representatives from local and international media organisations.
Anwar reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to supporting Gaza, not only through humanitarian assistance but also by maintaining a strong political voice in defence of Palestinian rights.
He said that during a discussion with Trump while travelling in the official presidential vehicle, Cadillac One known as “The Beast”, alongside the world leader in late October, he had respectfully explained Malaysia’s position and the humanitarian basis for its consistent support of Gaza and Palestine.
“I told (Trump) why I chose to defend the rights of Gaza and Palestine and why we (Malaysia) are so consistent in supporting them.
“He (Trump) was not angry at all, but these kinds of voices still exist, and I apologise because I find it difficult to understand, especially when people talk about religion and humanity but there is no compassion and humanity,” he said.
Anwar also disclosed that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had personally invited him to attend the Gaza Recovery and Reconstruction Conference in Egypt, although the meeting has yet to take place due to difficulties in securing a quorum of Arab and Islamic world leaders towards the end of the year. - December 18, 2025
