KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the strongest terms.
He said that the killing, which took place in the early hours today in Teheran, Iran, was meant to sabotage ongoing efforts to establish peace in Gaza.
"This was a murder of the most heinous kind, plainly designed to derail ongoing talks aimed at ending the carnage in Gaza that has claimed over 40,000 lives," he said across social media.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country's new president, and said it was investigating the killing.
Anwar stated that such an action could only occur due to Israel's impunity.
"Only the heedless and unconscionable will not see the need to intensify pressure on Israel to stop their murderous rampage", he stated.
Anwar stated that Haniyeh's death was a worrying development for suffering Palestinians as it had reduced the chances for a ceasefire.
"I am deeply concerned about what this tragedy would mean for the Palestinian people, who have already been so cruelly subjected to so much pain, hardship and suffering for so many decades", he said.
On May 14, Anwar met the Hamas leader while on a working trip to Qatar, an event which drew criticism from several quarters.
However, he refuted the criticism as shortsighted.
"Detractors who have criticised me for meeting with Ismail Haniyeh in the past, fail to appreciate Haniyeh's profound desire for a peaceful Middle East and a Palestinian nation restored to its rightful dignity", Anwar said.
Ultimately, he expressed his mourning for "a dear friend and a valiant advocate for (the Palestinian people)".
The statement was included with a video of Anwar on a phone call with senior Hamas official Dr Basem Naim to offer his condolences to Haniyeh's family.
"Please be assured that we are as strong as ever in our support, our commitment for an independent Palestine", he said in the call.
Earlier today, Communications minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Malaysian cabinet condemned the killing of Haniyeh and urged for an immediate investigation.
The Foreign Ministry had also issued a similar statement, unequivocally denouncing such acts of violence and calling for all peace-loving nations to do the same.
Haniyeh, normally based in Qatar, had been the face of Hamas since the war began on Oct 7, 2023. He travelled between Turkey and Doha to act as negotiator in ceasefire talks.