Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gestures as he delivers his speech during his visit at the Malacanang palace, in Manila, Philippines, March 1, 2023.
Aaron Favila/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Malaysia does not agree with Western pressure to condemn Palestinian militant group Hamas, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday, amid widespread outrage over this month's deadly attack on southern Israel.
Western and European countries have repeatedly asked Malaysia to condemn Hamas in meetings, Anwar said, without providing details.
"As such, we don't agree with their pressuring attitude, as Hamas too won in Gaza freely through elections and Gazans chose them to lead."
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2013 defied Israel's blockade on Gaza, crossing into the Palestinian enclave following an invitation from Hamas.
Persons:
Anwar Ibrahim, Aaron Favila, Anwar, Gazans, Najib Razak, Rozanna Latiff, Martin Petty
Organizations:
Malaysian, Hamas, Israel, Former Malaysian, Israel's, Thomson
Locations:
Manila, Philippines, KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Israel, Gaza