PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reminded the public not to politicise the Israel-Gaza war or allow the matter to create disharmony among Malaysians.

He said the people should view the conflict as a humanitarian issue affecting Palestinians who are struggling to break free from Israeli occupation.

“I also want to take this opportunity to encourage all Malaysians, regardless of race and religion, to look at it from historical and humanitarian perspectives and not to let it be an issue that changes our stance on the meaning of independence.

“There are voices claiming that we are too harsh and contradict our non-aligned stance. Yes, Malaysia supports the non-aligned principle, but not when it involves atrocities, not when thousands of children are killed, not in the matter of justice and humanity,” he said in reply to Suhaizan Kaiat (Pulai-PH) during Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Suhaizan wanted to know the outcome of the prime minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt, especially in connection with the Israeli attacks on the Palestinians in Gaza.

Anwar said the Palestine issue is very close to the Muslim community, but at the same time, involves humanitarian issues that need to be exposed to the general public to increase their knowledge.

“So, I hope we take this opportunity to provide such information to the people. That’s why I support the education minister’s (Fadhlina Sidek) call for students to follow the developments (of the conflict).

“Of course, we have guidelines and should not encourage hatred among students, but rather enlighten them and make them understand the oppression and dispossession,” he said.

On foreign pressure and threats, Anwar said Wisma Putra has received three protest notes from the United States – on October 13, 18 and 30 – requesting Malaysia not keep its stance on refusing to designate Hamas as a terrorist group.

Anwar said Malaysia will stand by Palestine and not be intimidated by threats. – Bernama, October 31, 2023.