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The Star

Malaysia cannot get involved in what is happening in the Middle East, especially not via military intervention, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said.
He said that as a free country, Malaysia could voice its objections towards war and violence – but not by sending in troops.
Dialogue and engagement should be the means to resolve any form of disputes, he said.
“We do not agree when any country is attacked and colonised. We do not want any country to interfere in our national affairs,” he said on Sunday at an event in Kota Kinabalu.
“That is why, regardless of country or government, we will never agree to that.”
Many major nations such as Saudi Arabia contacted us and asked if we can help to intervene
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
The prime minister said Malaysia would not allow such attacks and that was why voicing these objections was important.
“If we remain quiet, what happens to us if such a thing were to happen to our country?” he asked.
Anwar said Malaysia maintained its stand that all violence must stop and would continue to voice its thoughts for peace and stability.
“We are fortunate that even as a small country, many major nations such as Saudi Arabia contacted us and asked if we can help to intervene,” he said.
“This is because Malaysia has a stable government and that is growing well economically.”

Soaring subsidies
On fuel subsidies, Anwar said the government had to allocate a subsidy of 2 billion ringgit a month to maintain the price of RON95 petrol at 1.99 ringgit per litre amid soaring world crude oil prices.
He said the government would also continue to bear the diesel subsidy in Sabah and Sarawak, set at 2.15 ringgit per litre compared to the actual cost of 4.30 ringgit per litre.
“Last year, the diesel subsidy for Sabah and Sarawak was 2 billion ringgit. So far this year, since the tensions [in the Middle East], the price has soared.”
At current prices, the government would have to pay an estimated 4.6 billion ringgit per year to cover diesel subsidies in both states, he said.
“So far, we are holding on and in April we can still hold on, but what about in May? Then we need to sit down and talk.”
This article was first published by The Star


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Malaysia

A Malaysian soldier salutes from an armoured vehicle during a National Day parade in Putrajaya, Malaysia, in 2018. Photo: AFP

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, also the finance minister, holds the 2026 national budget document in Putrajaya last October. Photo: Reuters

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Illustration: Huy Truong

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (left) pictured at the Asean summit in Kuala Lumpur last year. Photo: AFP

Malaysians take part in a protest calling for MACC Chief Commissioner Azam Baki’s resignation outside the agency’s headquarters in Putrajaya, Malaysia, last month. Photo: Reuters

Rafizi Ramli, former People’s Justice Party deputy president, is expected to announce a new “political direction” in June. Photo: Handout

Anwar and Umno chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre, right) attend the party’s general assembly in Kuala Lumpur in 2023. Photo: X/anwaribrahim

Anwar vs Mahathir: Malaysia’s corruption showdown comes full circle

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks at his office in Putrajaya in 2016. Photo: AFP

Former prime minister Najib Razak (centre) is escorted by police officers to a hearing at Kuala Lumpur High Court last year. Photo: EPA-EFE

Daim Zainuddin (centre) pictured in 2018 while he was an adviser to Malaysia’s government. Photo: AFP

Mahathir (centre), his son Mukhriz (left) and Muhyiddin Yassin appear at a rally together in 2016. Photo: AFP

Anwar Ibrahim (left) and Mahathir Mohamad in October 2018, during their brief reconciliation ahead of that year’s election. Photo: EPA-EFE

A police officer holds up a picture of the items seized from properties linked to Najib Razak in 2018. Photo: AFP

Anwar speaks at Umno headquarters in 2023 as party leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left), also a deputy prime minister of Malaysia, looks on. Photo: AP

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

Saudi Arabia is among the ‘many major nations’ that have asked for Malaysia’s help, the prime minister reveals


Saudi Arabia is among the ‘many major nations’ that have asked for Malaysia’s help, the prime minister reveals.


US-Israel war on Iran

War and conflict

Middle East

Anwar Ibrahim

Malaysia will not intervene militarily in Middle East, Anwar says

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Saudi Arabia is among the ‘many major nations’ that have asked for Malaysia’s help, the prime minister reveals

Saudi Arabia is among the ‘many major nations’ that have asked for Malaysia’s help, the prime minister reveals