Aaron Aziz backlash shows Gaza activism is a litmus test for celebs

Singaporean latest celebrity in Malaysia to be embroiled in Palestine-related controversy

- Hazlin Hassan Malaysia Correspondent

In Malaysia’s charged social media landscape, even celebrities from across the Causeway are discovering that silence on Gaza is no longer acceptable, as public figures face mounting pressure over their perceived lack of support for the Palestinian cause.

In recent days, for instance, Malaysia-based Singaporean actor Aaron Aziz has become embroiled in a controversy sparked by a video manipulated to show him criticising activists on the Global Sumud Flotilla humanitarian mission to Gaza.

The incident underscores how the Gaza conflict has become a litmus test for public figures in Malaysia, where support for Palestine cuts across ethnic and political lines, and where staying silent is increasingly viewed as complicity.

“The severity of the genocide in Gaza now is making Malaysians expect everyone to contribute to stop it, especially people who are influential,” said Professor Nazari Ismail, chairman of BDS Malaysia, which spearheads the local boycott, divest and sanction (BDS) movement against those linked to Israeli settlers in Palestine.

Prof Nazari, director of the Hashim Sani Centre for Palestine Studies at Universiti Malaya, said the call to speak out on Gaza now extends beyond politicians to include celebrities and social media influencers, reflecting a global trend.

On Oct 7, Aaron had announced plans to sue Malaysian influencer Sharina Richie for defamation after her post on Oct 4 accused him of criticising the Global Sumud Flotilla activists. The flotilla, comprising more than 40 vessels with 500 participants from over 44 countries, had attempted to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza but was intercepted by Israeli forces between Oct 1 and 3.

Ms Sharina’s post had sparked an onslaught of online abuse against Aaron’s family, with his wife Diyana Halik saying his children were “deeply affected”.