KUALA LUMPUR: The Gaza atrocities are a return to barbarism in a modern guise, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said the world is witnessing “a failure of conscience” most visible in Gaza, echoing remarks by UK Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn.
“I detest not only contradiction, but the hypocrisy of those leaders beside me in bilateral engagements and regional meetings, who speak about human rights, justice and order yet condone atrocities against innocent people,” he said.
Anwar said this in his keynote address at the Kuala Lumpur Conference On A New Just and Humane International Order 2025 on Tuesday (Oct 14).
Also present were Corbyn and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Prime Minister questioned whether the suffering of Palestinians stems from racial or religious prejudice.
“Are they being oppressed because they are coloured, because they are Arabs, or because they are Muslims? I fail to understand,” he said.
Anwar said many leaders speak “with confidence and clear conscience” while ignoring destroyed neighbourhoods, bombed civilians and threats to hospitals.
“The law is cited but never enforced. To me, this is not a mere humanitarian catastrophe; it is when belief in law begins to fade. When law becomes selective, it turns into propaganda,” said Anwar.
“When power no longer needs to justify itself, barbarism returns dressed in modern, sophisticated clothes,” he added.
Anwar said Malaysia decided to take a firm stance on Gaza because silence is no longer an option.
He said Malaysia is watching the latest US Gaza peace initiative, stressing there is no assurance Israel will abide by it.
He noted that although the 20-point ceasefire framework appears comprehensive, it remains fragile and uncertain in practice.
While welcoming efforts to end violence, Anwar cautioned against “another pause between wars.”
He said Israel’s current leadership has repeatedly disregarded earlier agreements.
“Malaysia is one of the few countries, along with South Africa, Bolivia and Brazil, that supports the ceasefire with strong reservations,” he said.
“With the latest fragile ceasefire in place, we are monitoring developments by the minute, and there is a faint glimpse of peace. We must be honest and say we do not want another pause between wars,” added Anwar.
