PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia, July 1, 2025 – Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a productive video call with British political figure and Member of Parliament Jeremy Corbyn on June 30, 2025, to discuss collaborative measures aimed at addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The discussion, which took place in a high-level diplomatic setting, underscored Malaysia’s commitment to amplifying international pressure on Israel to halt what Anwar described as a “genocide” in the region.
In a post on X, Anwar shared an image of the virtual meeting, highlighting the presence of the Malaysian and British flags alongside a detailed agenda on his desk. He emphasized the need for global solidarity and moral courage, stating,
“In this time of deep humanitarian crisis, global solidarity and moral courage are more essential than ever.”
The talks reaffirmed a shared commitment between Malaysia and like-minded countries, including members of The Hague Group, to uphold international law, defend human rights, and advocate for a just and lasting peace.
The Hague Group, a coalition of nine nations—Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa—launched coordinated legal and diplomatic measures in January 2025 to address Israel’s actions against Palestinians. Malaysia’s involvement aligns with its long-standing foreign policy supporting Palestinian self-determination, a stance detailed in a 2021 academic study by Nurul Norfatihah Md Yusoff and colleagues, which traced Malaysia’s position on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from 1957 to 2014.
The Gaza crisis, described as “amongst the worst we have witnessed” by over 20 UN and humanitarian organizations in December 2023, has seen catastrophic conditions, including hospital shutdowns due to fuel shortages and a collapsing healthcare system. UN Chief António Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter in December 2023, citing a severe risk to international peace and security, further fueling global calls for a ceasefire.
Domestically, Anwar’s leadership also focuses on economic restructuring through the Madani Economy framework, launched in July 2023. Aimed at elevating Malaysia to a leading Asian economy, the initiative sets ambitious targets, including a top 30 ranking among the world’s largest economies and a fiscal deficit of three percent or lower within a decade. This economic agenda may influence Malaysia’s foreign policy priorities, balancing international advocacy with fiscal responsibility at home, as seen in recent diesel subsidy cuts.
The virtual meeting with Corbyn, a prominent voice on human rights, has sparked varied reactions on X. While some users praised the move as a step toward justice, others criticized the focus on international issues amid domestic challenges, with one user urging the government to redirect taxpayer funds from “illegal alien immigrants and mahakaya” to local needs.
As the global community watches, Malaysia’s role in The Hague Group and Anwar’s dialogue with Corbyn signal a renewed push for accountability, with the Prime Minister calling for broader international support to end the crisis in Gaza.