Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's vocal support for Hamas amid the ongoing war in Gaza will help stabilize his fragile government and improve economic sentiment, but the reputational damage risks deterring foreign investment and potentially triggering U.S. sanctions. On Nov. 7, Anwar reiterated that his government would maintain formal ties to the militant Palestinian group Hamas, a position he has vocally staked since the group's Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in the Gaza Strip. The prime minister's remarks were made in response to concerns raised in Malaysia's parliament over a new U.S. bill aimed at imposing sanctions on Hamas' foreign supporters. Anwar said he was closely following the development as it could have implications for Malaysia, which has emerged as the most visible and outspoken supporter of Hamas in Asia (aside from Iran) over the past month. He also stated that U.S. pressure would not alter...
