PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has condemned the international community’s failure to address the suffering of Palestinians, questioning why principles of democracy and human rights are applied differently when Palestine is concerned.
He said the decades-long oppression of Palestinians demanded a consistent international response, regardless of race, religion or nationality.
“When it comes to Palestine, why are there differences in the rules, judgements and discussions?” he asked at the Sumud Nusantara dinner held in conjunction with the Global Sumud Congress 2026 in Bangi on Tuesday.
Anwar said Malaysia’s experience as a formerly colonised nation had taught its people to oppose colonialism, imperialism, injustice and oppression.
He said the world continued to witness atrocities against Palestinians while international efforts to defend oppressed communities remained limited.
“You talk about democracy — whose democracy? You talk about human rights — whose human rights? When human beings are treated like animals and slaves,” he said.
Anwar stressed that Palestinians should not be denied their rights or subjected to continued occupation and brutality because of their Arab, Palestinian or Muslim identity.
He acknowledged the challenges facing Sumud Nusantara and its international partners but said these should not become an excuse to ignore Palestinian suffering, particularly that of children caught in the prolonged conflict.
He also expressed hope that growing awareness in the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America would strengthen international support for justice and Palestinian independence.
Anwar said the participation of international representatives, including those from Spain, Brazil, Indonesia and the Philippines, demonstrated that the struggle for freedom and justice extended beyond national borders.
He urged the public to contribute to efforts to assist Palestinians, however modest their contributions, rather than remain inactive because of their own preoccupations.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Anwar’s outspoken stance reflected Malaysia’s firm commitment to establishing an independent Palestinian state.
He said the Prime Minister’s presence at the event sent a clear message that support for Palestine extended beyond political rhetoric and diplomatic discussions to grassroots mobilisation, including through the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF).
Fahmi said the government was prepared to assist Sumud Nusantara and GSF with their initiatives, including through social media outreach.
“We (the government) also hope that, should Sumud Nusantara and GSF have any plans, we will be ready to help,” he told reporters after attending the dinner.
He added that the Communications Ministry would work with the Global Sumud Movement to produce a television mini-series on the Sumud Protocol to raise public awareness.
Fahmi also congratulated Ahmad Sani Araby for spearheading and organising initiatives he described as significant.
Fahmi said he and several other ministers would continue supporting Sumud Nusantara and GSF, including by helping strengthen their media presence. - October 14, 2026