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Iman Muttaqin Yusof

Malaysian politician Mukhriz Mahathir has triggered a social media storm after declaring in a video that he “hates Americans, all of them”, over Washington’s support for Israel – echoing the fierce anti-US rhetoric long associated with his father, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.
“I hate Americans. I despise Israelis, but I hate Americans, all of them,” Mukhriz said in the video, posted on Saturday.
“It matters not if they’re Republican or Democrat, pro-Israel or pro-Palestine. None of it matters to me,” he said, arguing that ordinary Americans should also share responsibility for the actions of leaders elected in their name.
Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, has long been one of Southeast Asia’s staunchest backers of the Palestinian cause and does not recognise Israel as a state.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government has repeatedly condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza, a stance that has increasingly put Kuala Lumpur at odds with Washington over Malaysia’s refusal to admit Israeli citizens.
Last month, the US State Department summoned Malaysia’s ambassador to explain the policy.
Mukhriz drew a distinction between his own rhetoric and what he characterised as US-backed violence.
My hatred is backed by nothing but words
Mukhriz Mahathir, Malaysian politician
“American hatred is backed by bombs, drones and vetoes. My hatred is backed by nothing but words,” he said. “Theirs kills. Mine does not.”
He accused Washington of arming what he called a genocide in Gaza and shielding Israel from accountability, defending his remarks as an exercise of free speech.
“My loathing breaks no law. It is my right, my speech,” he said. “But American loathing of Palestinians? That breaks bones, burns tents, ends bloodlines.”
The video had been watched more than 350,000 times as of Monday afternoon, drawing some 9,000 reactions and dividing commenters.

“I respect your stance, sir. And I share almost the same,” one user wrote.
Others objected to Mukhriz assigning collective culpability to an entire nationality.
“Criticising a government or its policies is one thing, but saying you hate all Americans is spreading hatred towards an entire people based on nationality,” another user wrote, urging Mukhriz to use his position to promote understanding rather than hatred.
“Hate is a very heavy word and it is misplaced here,” a third user said. “Condemning an entire nation of millions of diverse people because of the actions of their government is wrong.”
Mukhriz, 61, is a former two-term chief minister of the northern state of Kedah and president of the Malay nationalist Pejuang party.
He is also the son of Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, whose decades in national politics were marked by fierce criticism of US and Western foreign policy, particularly over Israel, Palestine and the invasion of Iraq.

Mahathir once called former US president George W. Bush’s administration a “rogue regime” and accused Washington of terrorising Iraqi civilians. In his 2003 address to an Islamic summit, he said Jews “rule the world by proxy”, attracting international condemnation.
Mukhriz himself studied in the United States, graduating from Boston University with a degree in marketing before entering business and later politics.
His remarks come as the US-backed ceasefire in Gaza, in place since October 2025, faces renewed strain. Israeli air strikes on Sunday killed at least two Palestinians, including a four-year-old boy, Palestinian health officials told Reuters.
More than 1,280 Palestinians and four Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire took effect, Reuters reported.
Israel rejects accusations that its campaign amounts to genocide and says its military operations are aimed at Hamas – the Palestinian militant group, designated a terrorist organisation by the US, which led the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.
The US embassy in Malaysia has been asked for comment on Mukriz’s remarks.


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‘I hate Americans, all of them’: Malaysian politician’s anti-US rant draws backlash

Malaysian politician Mukhriz Mahathir in a still from a video in which he said he “hates Americans, all of them”. Photo: Facebook/MukhrizMahathirFC

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim delivers a speech during a pro-Palestinian solidarity rally in last year. Photo: Reuters

Mukhriz Mahathir in a still from the social media video that went viral. Photo: Facebook/MukhrizMahathirFC

Mahathir Mohamad (left) pictured with Mukhriz at a political event in December 2018. Photo: AP

Malaysia’s Anwar traded reform for power. Now Umno wants it all

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition has suffered a series of bruising defeats in recent state elections. Photo: EPA-EFE

A flag of the United Malays National Organisation waves outside its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

Delegates attend the People’s Justice Party congress at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, on August 15. Photo: Facebook/KeadilanRakyat

A Democratic Action Party candidate meets supporters while campaigning in Johor state last month. BN won the state election by a landslide. Photo: Facebook/dapjohor.my

A woman crosses a street in front of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month. Photo: AP

Nurul Izzah Anwar, the Malaysian prime minister’s eldest child, stepped back from the deputy presidency of his ruling People’s Justice Party this month. Photo: Hadi Azmi

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Controversial Malaysian academic Solehah Yaacob seen in a still from a live-streamed lecture. Photo: Facebook/profsolehah

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Former Malaysian ministers Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at an event announcing their takeover of Bersama in May. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli

Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Bersama flags line a road in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the 48th Asean Summit in May. Anwar’s ruling coalition has fared poorly in three recent state elections in Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. Photo: Reuters

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Former PM Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mukhriz defended his anti-US rant, claiming ordinary citizens share blame for Washington’s foreign policy


Former PM Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mukhriz defended his anti-US rant, claiming ordinary citizens share blame for Washington’s foreign policy.


‘I hate Americans, all of them’: Malaysian politician’s anti-US rant draws backlash

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Former PM Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mukhriz defended his anti-US rant, claiming ordinary citizens share blame for Washington’s foreign policy

Former PM Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mukhriz defended his anti-US rant, claiming ordinary citizens share blame for Washington’s foreign policy