KL draws flak over presence of Israel’s arms suppliers at defence event

Critics allege hypocrisy in relation to its pro-Palestinian stance; govt cites free trade

- Hazlin Hassan

The Malaysian government has been accused of hypocrisy in its strident pro-Palestinian stance after several defence companies that supplied arms to Israel were allowed to take part in a military exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.

The apparent mixed messages from Malaysia's leaders underscore the difficulties faced by a government in remaining steadfast in its call for boycotts of a particular country.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has repeatedly expressed Malaysia's strong support for Palestine, especially during the Gaza war by condemning Israeli actions in the Palestinian territory as "the height of barbarism", even as Western companies, including those from the US and the UK, have continued to supply arms to Israel.

Several of those companies, including US aerospace and defence firm Lockheed Martin and British aerospace and weapons firm BAE Systems, are participating in the four-day Defence Services Asia and National Security Asia 2024 exhibition in Kuala Lumpur. They are known suppliers of weapons to Israel but have not commented on the controversy in Malaysia.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's international bureau chief Saifuddin Abdullah urged the government to ban Lockheed Martin and BAE from participating in and sponsoring the exhibition, citing concerns about the F-35 fighter jet by Lockheed Martin and equipment supplied by BAE being used in attacks on Palestinians.