TOKYO: Prime Minister Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended his meeting with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Speaking at a Q&A session at the Nikkei Forum 29th Future of Asia, Anwar said he and Haniyeh had been friends for decades, and there was no reason why they shouldn't meet.
But in the meeting, Anwar said he appealed to Ismail to heed calls for peace, accept two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the exchange of captives.
He was responding to a question on his recent meeting with Haniyeh in Qatar.
"Is that an offence? Did I promote terrorism? No.
"I appealed because I have an advantage... What is my advantage? I know them, they consider me a friend."
Anwar said that as a friend, he has a duty to help secure a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
On the ongoing war in Gaza, Anwar said there was a need to view it as an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
"Nevermind the differences in terms of ideologies or bilateral relations with other states.
"But can we condone and turn a blind eye towards the massive atrocities?"
Anwar said the Oct 7 attack by Hamas would not erase seven decades of Palestinian oppression.
He said this was why Malaysia wanted a peaceful resolution to the conflict through the two state solution.
"But what is important now is to stop the killings. Stop shooting women and children," he said, adding the destruction of hospitals, schools, mosques and charges must also cease.
Anwar also called for increased humanitarian assistance to those affected by the war.
Over 35,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the start of the conflict last October.
Most of the Palestinians killed are women and children.
