KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya will continue to speak out against atrocities and injustice happening in the Middle East and would not be swayed by any pressures from other countries, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said that Malaysia will remain firm on the issue, even if it may lead to higher tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
“Our stand, as a free and independent country, will remain firm despite any objections or intimidation,” he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 22).
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda- Muar) had asked if Malaysia’s firm position on the Middle East conflict was a factor for Trump’s decision to impose higher reciprocal tariffs on Malaysian goods.
Anwar said the negotiation process on the tariffs is ongoing.
He added that Malaysia has voiced out its views on the tariffs through several meetings with US diplomats, including a recent meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
He said Malaysia's views on Palestine were touched on during the meetings, but were not the main topic of discussion.
“The US decision (on tariffs) is unfair, unilateral, and goes against the World Trade Organisation’s principles and existing agreements, which we had mentioned," Anwar added.
Malaysia was slapped with a 24% reciprocal tariff in April, and it was recently increased to 25% despite initial talks between representatives of both countries.
Anwar also told Datuk Seri Doris Sophia Brodi (GPS-Sri Aman) that Malaysia has been looking at various avenues to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the people of Gaza.
“Based on the latest briefing by the Foreign Ministry, we still have the funds and facilities to deliver the aid.
“I have requested cooperation from the Egyptian President (Abdel Fattah El-Sisi), but our efforts are still blocked by Israel on the Rafah border,” he said.
Anwar added that humanitarian efforts were also being coordinated with Qatar and Jordan.
“(We sought) Jordan’s help to bring in assistance such as food and medicines to Gaza, but this was also blocked (by Israel),” he said.
