Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for restraint and diplomatic engagement to ease rising tensions in the Middle East, following recent attacks on Iran and escalating regional instability. In a series of social media posts on Saturday, the Malaysian leader said he had spoken with several Middle Eastern leaders to emphasize the need for peaceful approaches and collective efforts to maintain regional stability.
According to Anwar, he held separate phone conversations with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar; Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates; and Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. During these discussions, the leaders exchanged views on developments in the region, particularly the situation in Qatar, Bahrain, and the wider Middle East following recent attacks on Iran.
Anwar also expressed appreciation for the efforts made by the governments of Qatar and Bahrain to ensure the safety and welfare of Malaysians residing in those countries. “We agreed that all parties should prioritise peaceful approaches and exercise restraint from any actions that could jeopardise regional stability and security,” he said.
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In addition, the Malaysian prime minister held a phone conversation with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Foreign Minister of Iran, to convey Malaysia’s sympathy and solidarity with the Iranian people during what he described as an extremely difficult time. He noted that Malaysia is deeply concerned about the prolonged conflict and its potential implications for global peace, stability, and the well-being of civilians.
The latest tensions in the region follow reports that the United States and Israel carried out large-scale strikes on Iran on February 28, leading to the deaths of several senior military commanders and civilians. Iran has since responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli and U.S. assets across the region, raising fears of a wider conflict.
Despite the geopolitical uncertainty, analysts believe Malaysia’s currency, the Malaysian ringgit, may remain relatively resilient. A note from Maybank Investment Bank said strong economic fundamentals, including a current account surplus, fiscal prudence, and political stability, could help the currency outperform regional peers even amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
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