DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim today acknowledged that some excerpts of his interviews with international media discussing Israel could have been taken out of context.
"I have given numerous interviews (with international media), including CNN, Al Jazeera and Bloomberg.
"Some excerpts may have been taken out of context, and if there are disagreements with a word or two, that is fine. I do not want to argue over that," said the Prime Minister.
On his first day back in Parliament after returning to Malaysia yesterday, he reaffirmed Malaysia’s long-standing stance of non-recognition of Israel, tracing it back to the era of former prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.
"I understand that I have been misrepresented on this issue. Let me clarify that, within the context of the UN, it is considered a matter of state rights.
"However, Israel has never been recognised by us, from the beginning," he said.
Anwar criticised those politicising his remarks, highlighting that previous governments had allowed Israeli aircraft and trade vessels to access Malaysian airspace and ports.
“I have always been firm and critical of Israel, even describing them as barbaric, cruel, and violent," he added. - November 21, 2024
