Malaysia’s plan to send 100 million ringgit (US$24 million) in aid to Gaza has become a lightning rod for economic anxieties as Malaysians weigh their long-standing support for war-ravaged Palestinians against mounting frustrations over spiralling living costs and government austerity measures.
Advertisement
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the humanitarian package late on Sunday, addressing a crowd of some 20,000 at a solidarity rally for Palestine in Kuala Lumpur.
He urged corporate leaders, affluent citizens and ordinary Malaysians alike to donate towards medical and humanitarian relief for Gaza, with the government expected to contribute a substantial share.
Malaysia raised more than 80 million ringgit for the Palestinian cause in 2023, including 10 million ringgit directly from the government and 15 million ringgit from sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional, reflecting its firm diplomatic and public support.
But Anwar’s latest pledge comes at a sensitive moment, as many Malaysians are grappling with the removal of decades-old fuel subsidies, increased taxes and stagnant wages.
The United Nations on Friday officially declared a “man-made” famine in Gaza, with its experts saying 500,000 people were facing “catastrophic” hunger. More than 280 Palestinians – almost half of them children – have died from hunger in recent weeks.