Malaysia ready to back credible push for Gulf ceasefire, says Anwar

The prime minister urged for dialogue as escalation often leads to grave consequences. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia stands ready to support any credible effort toward a negotiated cessation of hostilities amid the escalating conflict in West Asia and the Gulf, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Mr Anwar said Malaysia backs diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions and restore peace in the region, stressing that dialogue must remain open despite rising hostilities.

“In line with the principled bipartisan stand taken by the Malaysian Parliament, I am encouraged by calls for restraint that have emerged from the highest levels in Iran amid the continuing conflict across the Gulf and wider West Asia,” he said in a social media post on March 9.

He added that such calls should be taken seriously and respected, noting that while there will always be voices pushing for a harder response, history has shown that escalation often leads to grave consequences.

“History has rarely been kind to those who choose escalation over negotiation when the door to dialogue is still open. Keeping that door open takes real courage,” he said.