A Malaysian activist who recently returned from a Gaza humanitarian mission has publicly apologised after making a controversial joke about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a solidarity rally in Bukit Jalil.
The activist, PU Rahmat, had been among 23 Malaysians detained and allegedly mistreated by Israeli forces while delivering aid to Gaza last week. Upon returning home, the group attended a Gaza Solidarity Rally where they shared harrowing accounts of being stripped, assaulted, and humiliated by Israeli authorities. However, the event took an unexpected turn when Rahmat made a lighthearted but poorly received remark.
While addressing the crowd, he said that he and the Prime Minister shared a similarity — that both were “ex-convicts.” The comment, made in front of Anwar himself, drew laughter from some attendees but quickly stirred anger online after clips of the speech went viral. Many Malaysians felt the remark was disrespectful, particularly given Anwar’s efforts to secure the activists’ release and ensure their safe return to Malaysia.
Realising the impact of his words, Rahmat later issued a public apology. In a follow-up video released the next morning, he clarified that the Prime Minister had taken no offence and that the comment stemmed from a prior lighthearted exchange. According to Rahmat, Anwar had joked earlier with the group, calling them “fellow ex-convicts” in a show of camaraderie, referencing his own history of political imprisonment.
Rahmat said the moment was meant to reflect Anwar’s sense of humour and humility, but admitted that repeating it publicly was a lapse in judgment. He added that Anwar had immediately reassured him on stage, patting his shoulder and saying it was fine.
The activist reiterated his apology to both the Prime Minister and Malaysians who felt offended by the remark. He expressed regret that a moment of humour had been taken out of context and overshadowed the purpose of the rally — to highlight the plight of Palestinians and honour the humanitarian mission’s struggles.
Rahmat also urged against politicising the incident, saying that it was time to refocus attention on the suffering in Gaza rather than domestic controversy. Despite his apology, the episode has reignited discussions about decorum at public events and the balance between humour and respect when addressing national leaders.
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