Anwar Ibrahim’s Gaza Stance Tests Malaysia-United States Relations

Commentary by Sophie Lemière

Published June 28, 2024

Recent meetings between Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and Hamas officials in Qatar have sparked a fresh wave of controversy, casting a shadow over the already strained relations between Malaysia and the United States. Anwar's unflinching support for the Palestinian group has raised eyebrows in Washington, where concerns about terrorism financing and the Israel-Palestine conflict are deeply entrenched.

Anwar's latest meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political bureau chief, is just the latest in a series of high-profile encounters that have drawn criticism from both domestic and international quarters. Ismail Haniyeh met with Anwar on two occasions before, during his official visits to Malaysia in 2019 and 2020. The Malaysian premier's refusal to condemn Hamas' military activities, his characterization of Hamas soldiers as "freedom fighters," and his rejection of U.S. demands to sever ties with the group have been seen as a major diplomatic blow to Washington. In an attempt to appease the anxiety it raised among Malaysia's Western allies, Anwar has clarified that Malaysia's approach is to maintain its relationship with the political body of Hamas without getting involved in any military activities.

Anwar's response to these criticisms has been defiant, with the premier urging the international community to pressure Israel into ceasing its military activities in Gaza. His call for a humanitarian ceasefire has been met with skepticism by Washington, which has maintained that Hamas' actions are responsible for the conflict. Earlier this month, the leader condemned the United States for its passivity in the conflict at the Future of Asia conference organized by Nikkei Asia in Tokyo. Anwar openly challenged President Biden's denial of the genocide, asking "how can you condone the genocide or apartheid or ethnic cleansing, and how [can] you deny that when the whole world can see?" In response, the White House has expressed concern about Malaysia's alleged role in facilitating the transfer of Iranian oil through Southeast Asian waters, despite U.S. sanctions. In May, U.S. Treasury officials visited Malaysia to discuss concerns about both Anwar's visit to Qatar, where the Palestinian group is suspected of raising funds, and Malaysia's suspected role in allowing the ship-to-ship transfer of embargoed Iranian oil in its water.

Anwar's stance is in line with that of his predecessors, and Malaysians are broadly supportive of it. However, critics of Anwar Ibrahim have raised concerns about his ties to Israel and his perceived proximity to U.S. businesses that support Israel, particularly in light of the recent discussions surrounding investment giant BlackRock. Accusations of being too cozy with entities that have vested interests in maintaining the status quo in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have put Anwar under scrutiny, raising concerns about his commitment to upholding human rights and international law. Several rallies and public forums have been jointly organized by politicians across the political spectrum and civil society organizations.

The intersection of business interests, geopolitical dynamics, and human rights concerns has created a complex web of challenges for Anwar as he seeks to navigate the delicate terrain of diplomacy and advocacy. These criticisms underscore the fine line that Anwar must tread in balancing his principles with the realities of global power dynamics and economic interests, highlighting the complexities inherent in addressing the Gaza conflict within the broader context of international relations. The implications of Anwar's stance are far reaching, not only for Malaysia-United States relations but also for the broader dynamics of international politics. The prime minister's willingness to challenge Washington's stance on Israel has raised questions about the future of Malaysian foreign policy and the state's willingness to take on powerful actors in the region.

Sophie Lemière is an adjunct fellow (non-resident) with the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

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