PUTRAJAYA: The CNN interview with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, which addressed the Israel-Palestine conflict, was irresponsibly edited by certain parties.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the edited interview clip, now circulating on social media, created a false impression that the government acknowledged Israel's existence and its right to self-defence.
Fahmi said only a specific portion of the interview was taken, manipulated and widely disseminated to misrepresent the government's stance on the matter.
"When we examine the full context or more than just the edited portion, I recognise the individuals responsible for these manipulations.
"It is their nature to distort content, and here they have made a serious error.
"The prime minister's post expressing condolences over the killing of (senior Hamas leader) Ismail Haniyeh was removed.
"(Hence,) for me, it is clear that no matter what, these parties (responsible for editing the video) will never be satisfied," he said during the weekly press conference today.
Previously, a portal reported that Anwar, in the CNN interview, recognised Israel's right to exist and defend itself, a claim that could raise questions.
Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin refuted these claims, clarifying that Anwar was, in fact, advocating for Palestine's right to establish an independent state.
Meanwhile, Fahmi, who is also the government's spokesperson, reaffirmed that the government's stance on Palestine remained steadfast.
"If we examine the prime minister's statement during the interview, he clearly articulated Malaysia's unwavering stance on protecting Palestine.
"To this day, we have never once recognised the state of Israel.
"In fact, the concept of the 'two-state solution' is not a new statement made yesterday or today.
"It has been a position consistently articulated by previous prime ministers since as far back as 2002, and it is evident that this stance has been upheld by the government for a long time.
"The prime minister also raised this issue during the first day of the parliamentary session, expressing Malaysia's intention at the United Nations General Assembly to propose a resolution to expel the illegitimate state of Israel.
"This crucial point has been entirely omitted by certain groups, which is highly unfair."