PUTRAJAYA: From securing a safe passage for PETRONAS vessels through the Strait of Hormuz to delivering aid through the Rafah border, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has revealed behind-the-scenes diplomacy that Malaysia is undertaking amid the Middle East crisis.
The Prime Minister shared details of his phone calls with leaders of Iran, Egypt and Oman, saying that Malaysia’s friendly ties with countries around the world are yielding crucial results during the ongoing conflict.
According to Anwar, he had contacted Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian to ensure the safety of Malaysian ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“I recorded the video of my discussion with the Iranian President because otherwise, people in politics will play it down and say it didn’t happen.
“When I mentioned Malaysian ships, including ships from PETRONAS, what was his reply?
“He said: ‘Brother Anwar, please be assured that I will give immediate instructions after this call to do whatever is necessary to allow your ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz’,” Anwar said during his speech to the Transport Ministry staff at the ministry’s monthly assembly here yesterday.
The Prime Minister said the assurances given by the Iranian President meant that PETRONAS vessels were able to bypass the blockade and are expected to arrive safely in Pengerang, Johor, in a few days.
Anwar also said his close relationship with Egypt President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has helped to secure the passage of Malaysian humanitarian aid into war-torn Gaza.
He added that Malaysia currently has 30 containers of aid stranded in Egypt, intended for the Flotilla to Gaza.
“I am friends with the Egyptian President. I told him: ‘My friend, our children in Malaysia felt compelled to help. Please grant them passage so they can penetrate Rafah.’
“Because of that friendship, he replied: ‘Anwar, we will do it immediately. Once they arrive, I will use my machinery to help’,” Anwar recounted the response from al-Sisi.
He also shared sobering details regarding the fragile state of peace negotiations in the Middle East as he revealed details of his conversation with Oman Prime Minister Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. He said Oman had initiated negotiations between the United States and Iran, which was progressing well until it was abruptly derailed.
“The Oman Prime Minister told me: ‘We agreed on some very contentious issues and managed to resolve them. It was the first time the Iranians agreed on some very problematic issues, resolved them and agreed to sign.’
“He said they completed their discussions at 2pm and were supposed to continue at 5pm. But at 3pm, Israel started bombing Teheran, and, of course, the Americans followed through,” said Anwar.
He stressed that these diplomatic efforts underscore why Malaysia must maintain good relations with all nations, including with the United States, China and Asean.
“We agree with what we agree on and we disagree with what we disagree on. But what is this good friendship for? It is to protect the interests of this country,” he said.
The Strait of Hormuz waterway is a critical global shipping choke point that has become increasingly dangerous following the Middle East conflict which erupted on Feb 28.
According to the US Energy Information Administration, over 80% of the crude oil and liquefied natural gas that passed through the strait heads to Asia.
