M.Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, associate professor and an author
Will Malaysia face any sanctions? It will depend on the United States which countries it would want to execute the sanctions.
The US House of Representatives passed new sanctions on Hamas backers like Iran and other countries.
The House on Wednesday night passed bipartisan legislation imposing new sanctions on Iran and other Hamas supporters.
The Messanger Politics reported that Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul said that they 'cannot facilitate the toxic relationship between the largest state sponsor of terror and its proxies.
“That bill, along with other legislation the House passed Wednesday, is designed to show further U.S. support for its longtime ally Israel and to strengthen foreign policy efforts to counter terrorist activities and funding of Hamas and other adversarial groups in the region.
“The headline bill would impose sanctions on foreign states and people who knowingly provide significant material or financial support for Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad or other Palestinian terrorist organisations.
"This bill aims at Iran's support for Hamas.”
Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill, said the sanctions legislation "will provide more tools for this and future administrations to hold Hamas accountable for its terrorism and brutality."
What are US Sanctions?
Sanctions are a foreign policy tool used by the US and others to influence the behaviour of other countries as an alternative to military action.
Sanctions refer to federal government actions restricting economic activity between the US and foreign entities, including people and other nations. These restrictions, including blocking off assets and trade, are made for reasons other than business, such as foreign policy or national security. This makes sanctions distinct from trade tariffs directed at specific countries or regions.
Singapore’s The Straits Times reported on 31st October 2023, “The United States had tried to exert pressure on Malaysia over its stance on the Palestine-Israel conflict,” according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
“The Malaysian envoy to the United States was called by the American authorities, who questioned our stance on the conflict, especially the violence inflicted by Israel on Gaza,” said Datuk Seri Anwar during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
“Our ambassador firmly stated our position,” Anwar added.
Anwar said that this came about because Malaysia refused to condemn Hamas’ actions and brand the group as terrorists.
“The Foreign Ministry informed me that Malaysia received a demarche (a political initiative) from the US Embassy twice, on Oct 13 and Oct 30, where Malaysia was asked to use diplomatic channels to urge a country to not take advantage of the conflict by using a proxy to get involved in the Gaza conflict,” he added.
While he did not specify the country, it is believed the country referred to by the US was Iran.
Anwar reiterated the country’s independent stance, saying that Malaysia will remain firm in its humanitarian considerations and condemn Israel’s unlawful occupation of Palestine.
“The politics and the disorder did not only start last month, but it has been going on for decades since 1948,” he noted.
“Therefore, it is unreasonable to set aside the violence, invasion and colonialism of Israel on the Arab territory of Palestine,” Anwar added.
He said while Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was condemned, the same was not done in the Israeli occupation of Palestine, especially by countries such as the US, although it had gone on for many years.
In his speech at the Malaysia for Palestine Rally last week, Anwar said Malaysia had received criticism from pro-Israel countries, particularly the US, for sympathising with Gaza and the Palestinians, as reported in THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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