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FREE Malaysia Today (FMT) journalist Rex Tan has issued a public apology for a question he posed during a public forum titled “Gaza Exposes the Complicity of International Actors” on Jan 12, acknowledging that the question was poorly framed, insensitive and out of place, and that it triggered unnecessary controversy.
In a statement released on Thursday, Tan said he deeply regretted raising the question without properly considering its relevance to the event or the sensitivities surrounding the subject matter.
“I deeply regret my poorly worded question, my failure to assess its relevance to this event, and for asking it without taking into account the sensitivity of the topic.
“Most importantly, I deeply regret mentioning the Chinese and Malay communities, which should not have been mentioned at all,” Bernama cited him saying in the statement relased by FMT.
Tan admitted that his reference to Malaya in the question was excessive, irrelevant, confusing and unnecessary. He said the lapse fell short of the standards expected of a journalist and stressed that he alone bore responsibility for the fallout.
“I will not blame any party, because my own ignorance sparked this controversy. I hope the public will not excessively criticise FMT Media or, worse, attack my family and loved ones.
“I also hope the public understands that my question did not use the term ‘apartheid’ or compare the current situation of the Malaysian Chinese community with that of Palestine. I clarified this during my second opportunity to speak, when I stated: ‘I am not comparing the situation of the Malaysian Chinese community now with Palestine. It is not implied,’” he explained.
Tan reiterated his support for the Palestinian people’s struggle for self-determination and for freedom from Israeli occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He also called on the public to exercise restraint and to avoid sharing or commenting on material that could fuel misunderstanding and heighten tensions in public discourse.
“Once again, I take full responsibility for the controversy and tension that arose. I sincerely apologise for this serious mistake and hope that no further harm will come to FMT Media or to my loved ones,” he said.
The controversy arose from the public lecture featuring British politician George Galloway, where Tan’s question drew widespread criticism on social media and prompted calls for clarification and accountability. - January 16, 2026