KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia has taken stronger measures than any other country to press Israel to end the violence in Gaza.
"I don't mean to be boastful, but I have taken steps that go beyond the willingness of many countries," Anwar said in the Dewan Rakyat.
"In fact, friends from other countries have warned me about the risks involved. You know how the United States has overthrown governments just because of contradictory positions; this is a risk I have to consider."
Anwar said that there had been suggestions to bar companies operating in Malaysia that also have dealings with Israel. However, he pointed out that many of these companies also engage with Malaysia and opposition-held states.
"Malaysia's stance has been firm. Not many countries have done what we have done. Don't push us to go further," he added.
"When you [in the opposition] were in government, you allowed Israeli shipping company ZIM to dock. We didn't allow it. We did more than that."
Anwar said this during the special session in Dewan Rakyat to debate on the Arab-Islamic Summit to discuss Israeli Agression on Palestine and Lebanon.
Earlier, Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) had suggested that Malaysia should cut ties with companies that have dealings with Israel. He also urged the government to review the sale of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd to BlackRock, which he linked to Lockheed Martin, a major arms supplier to Israel.
Anwar said that Malaysia could not afford to use rhetoric on Israel's violence against Palestine merely to attract attention, emphasizing that the country's stance must remain consistent.
"We must take a consistent position, especially when our decisions involve opposing a country, as all forms of trade are conducted with the country's consent," he added.
He also said that Malaysia's position on Israel's atrocities against Palestine is pragmatically aligned with consensus, which must at least be coordinated with Arab and Islamic countries and within the United Nations framework.
"We can demand anything, but our stance must be based on consensus. This is why our position remains firm in favour of full liberation."