Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday strongly condemned the recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, describing them as ‘punitive’ and ‘unprovoked’ acts that violate international law and undermine diplomatic efforts. Anwar said the Israeli attacks were clearly intended to derail ongoing talks and shatter hopes for a peaceful resolution in the region.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar criticized the actions as blatant violations of international law during his keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR). He urged global powers to act decisively to prevent further escalation. Anwar called on influential nations to speak plainly and act to restrain further conflict, emphasizing that such actions erode the norms that hold the global order together. The event was attended by notable figures, including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Chairman of ISIS Malaysia Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah.

Shifting focus to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Anwar voiced deep concern over the ongoing Israeli military campaign. He described the situation as a tragedy that has inflicted a devastating toll on a defenseless population, with civilian casualties predominantly affecting women and children. Anwar stressed the urgent need for concerted international action to uphold humanitarian law, secure an immediate ceasefire, and ensure the delivery of aid to those in desperate need.

Anwar warned that the credibility of the rules-based international order is now ‘on trial’ and called for decisive action from global powers. Turning attention to the Asia Pacific, he highlighted similar tensions in regions such as the Taiwan Strait, the Korean Peninsula, and the South China Sea. Anwar advocated for dialogue, law, and restraint over disruption and escalation.

He asserted that Malaysia envisions a future where the region’s security architecture is inclusive, predictable, and anchored in rules. Anwar emphasized the importance of active non-alignment and the need to prevent the worst outcomes in the region. He concluded by stating that while stability is not guaranteed, neither is chaos inevitable, and the actions taken now will determine the region’s resilience in the future.