KUALA LUMPUR: Controversial Malaysian influencer, Ian Miles Cheong, has clarified that he does not advocate for Israel, despite claims circulating on social media.
Cheong said that he has consistently voiced support for peace between both groups and backs Palestine's right to exist on various platforms.
"I was expressing my horror at the events that unfolded on Oct 7, 2023, along with the rest of the world when footage was live-streamed on the internet.
"My views on the matter have been very nuanced contrary to the regurgitated baseless claims about my past from unreliable far left-wing and transgender sources who have been literally trolling me for years due to my conservative views," he told the New Straits Times.
Ian highlighted his criticism of the bombings in Gaza, reflecting on a statement he made on Oct 29 last year.
"Bombing Gaza may not have been meant as collective punishment, but it certainly results from the events of Oct 7.
"Maybe this is radical to say, but killing innocent people doesn't promote peace, no matter which side you're on and continuing it will escalate the situation beyond Israel's borders," he said in the post.
He further lamented the ongoing violence on another post, "We wake up every day and see more horrors coming from Israel-Gaza. We can only pray that the bombings stop and that peace is achieved one day soon."
Meanwhile, Cheong also stressed that he is simply a proud Malaysian citizen with an interest in foreign politics, particularly with American foreign policies.
"I'm very proud of being Malaysian despite what other sources claims.
I have always been interested in foreign politics and I am concerned with America's international actions. That's it," he added.
Earlier, it was reported that Western and Malaysian online communities are outraged over Cheong, who was accused of disseminating divisive and controversial content on X (formerly Twitter). (hyperlink: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/02/1011823/netizens-demand-actio...)
Cheong, affiliated with Rebel News, a right-leaning, pro-Israeli Canadian news organisation, is a Malaysian who has been deeply engaged in American and European political discourse online for years.
Malaysian netizens were calling for action against Cheong for his alleged Pro-Israeli stance based on his political commentaries.