KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia does not recognise the decision of any country, including the US, to unilaterally impose sanctions on individuals, agencies or other countries that support Hamas, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He stressed that any such move would not affect the decisions and actions made by Putrajaya.
On the other hand, Malaysia's stance is to only recognise decisions made by the United Nations (UN) which are multilateral in nature.
“Firstly, we do not agree with the way the US has gone about it. And secondly, it does not affect our policies and decisions,” he said during question time for ministers at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar said this in responding to a question from Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang-PN) who wanted to know the government's position regarding the US House of Representatives’ move to pass the Hamas International Financing Prevention Act.
The legislation enables Washington to impose sanctions on foreign parties that support Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine..
The law was passed in the US House of Representatives on November 1 with 363 yeas and 46 nays.
It had been tabled there on January 11 and will now head to the Senate.
Meanwhile, Anwar today also warned that he will take action against parties in Malaysia that cast aspersions and incrimination against him over the Palestinian situation, such as in falsely linking him to Israel, for political mileage.
He told the Dewan Rakyat that all parties, including the opposition, must move forward, bringing together ideas and actions on reducing the burden borne by the people of Palestine, especially Gaza, which is under assault from Israel.
Anwar, who is also Tambun MP, said that his party has never offended PAS over its stance which has been very consistent since the beginning in supporting the people of the country concerned.
“I am in agreement on this matter. I have never insulted PAS because I know PAS's stance which has been very consistent on Palestine,” he said.
“I do not want to argue on this matter because the suffering they (Palestine) are sustaining has never been this severe in history.
“Let us together bring ideas and actions so that we can end or reduce their burden," he said during question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Datuk Ahmad Saad (Pokok Sena-PN) referred to a report in Harakah, the newspaper operated by PAS, titled “Malaysia under Anwar is hesitant to support Palestine?”.
The article is accompanied by an image of the prime minister against the superimposed background of the Israeli flag. – The Vibes, November 7, 2023
