By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 — Malaysia will not compromise on its principled support for Palestine or its ties with Iran, even if it risks economic retaliation from the United States, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said Putrajaya remains in discussion with Washington ahead of the proposed tariff hike scheduled for August, but stressed that external pressure would not sway the country’s foreign policy.
“Whatever pressure or threats from the US because of our stance on Gaza or our good ties with Iran will not change our position as a free and sovereign nation,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time here today.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who pointed to Brazil as an example, noting how it faced a 50 per cent tariff after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva criticised Western support for Israel's actions in Gaza.
US president Donald Trump, however, had previously justified high tariffs on Brazil by citing its treatment of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Anwar said the tariff issue was raised in his recent meetings with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth during the latter’s visit to Singapore, as well as with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting earlier this month.
He described the tariff hike as “unilateral and in violation of WTO principles”.
Malaysia was initially subject to a 24 per cent tariff, but this was later raised to 25 per cent.
Anwar also confirmed that President Lula is expected to visit Malaysia in October in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit.
He added that Malaysia remains a critical part of the global semiconductor supply chain, exporting about 60 per cent of its semiconductors to the US. Around 25 per cent of all US electrical and electronics imports originate from Malaysia.
Earlier, Anwar strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, the West Bank, and neighbouring countries, including Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, describing the situation as “genocidal” and “the worst suffering since World War II” endured by Palestinians.
He also defended Malaysia’s engagement with Iran, stating that only a handful of Muslim-majority countries were willing to maintain such ties due to external pressure.
“Malaysia is among the countries that have reached out to Iran, expressing support for their right to respond to Israel’s offensive and aggressive actions.”
Following a suggestion from the Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, Anwar said Malaysia also contacted the Amir of Qatar to help de-escalate tensions and improve ties between Tehran and Doha.
He added that Malaysia’s stance on the issue remains aligned with positions taken by the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the United Nations.
“At the very least, we are calling for an end to the attacks on Gaza and the West Bank, and for humanitarian aid to be allowed through to the people,” he said.
Anwar also confirmed that Malaysian intelligence continues to monitor the possible activities of Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad in the country, particularly following the 2018 assassination of Palestinian academic Fadi al-Batsh in Setapak, which authorities have linked to the group.
