Malaysia’s PM Anwar slams the West’s inconsistency with international laws in Israel-Gaza war

“Unfortunately, the gut-wrenching tragedy that continues to unfold in the Gaza Strip has laid bare the self-serving nature of much valued, the much vaunted rules-based order.”

He said the differing and inconsistent responses by the West “defied reasoning” and there was no room for the selective application of international laws.

“As we strive to build a more peaceful and economically vibrant region, I believe it’s a fool’s errand to think that the liberal international order and the inconsistencies in the application of principles, rules and norms will go unnoticed, nor should we descend into cynicism and declare that no country can ever be fully consistent in international affairs,” he said.

“Consistency matters. International law matters, so does a commitment to fair play and mutual respect among nations.”

What is UNRWA, the main aid provider in Gaza that Israel accuses of militant links?

Anwar was twice jailed over the course of his career, which started in the 1980s, for sodomy.

While both countries were once part of the same Malaya, Singapore went on to be a more economically powerful and stable country following its separation from Malaya in 1965.

Anwar said Malaysia no longer has a “phobia” about trailing Singapore and was working “very well” together, highlighting their latest agreement to establish a Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

“We have started with the issue of governance [for reforms]. Is it not surprising that after one year and three months, [there’s] not one single scandal involving ministers in terms of amassing wealth or involving contracts? Is it not something new that every single procurement is through proper tenders? Well, this may be something normal to you, but it’s not, in our case.”

“The opposition can talk about many issues, we are not as Islamic, my beard is not long enough, but they cannot raise the issue of governance because I’m tough on that, without exception.”

On economic reforms, he assured investors that Malaysia would continue its reduction of anticompetitive subsidies and has done so in the water and electricity sectors but warned the removal of subsidies should not be sudden.

“If you do it abruptly without having given time to explain to get people to understand, there will be political upheaval,” he said.

“Because if it is too drastic, you punish the common man, that I cannot accept.”