KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the public, especially members of the media to not refer to Hamas as a militant group and to provide a better understanding of Israel's brutality of ethnic cleansing.
During the prime minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat today, Anwar said such awareness among media publications must be established to adhere to the concerns and sensitivities of the people, as well as recognise the rights of Palestinians.
"I agree that the media and the country (must not view Hamas as a militant group).
"(At one period) the African National Congress was also accused of being a terrorist but the late Tunku Abdul Rahman gave his support and it (the support) continued. These were all leaders before me and they do not recognise the statement made by the West that Nelson Mandela was the head of terrorists.
"Hence, I agree that there must be awareness in Malaysia, where the media must understand the concerns and sensitivities of the people, as well as recognise the Palestinians' rights over their dispossession of land, wealth and dignity which continued to be abused," he said.
Anwar said this in response to Machang member of parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal on the government's stance towards reports published by media which still refers to Hamas as a militant group.
"President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (of Turkiye) announced that Hamas is not a militant group, but rather a liberation group.
"However, if we take a look at it, many of our local media still refer to Hamas as militant, terrorist, whether in Mandarin or English.
"Hence, I hope that you (Anwar) can advise and take editorial action against these misleading reports as this is not only the government's stance, but your stance," said Wan Fayhsal.