Parliament yesterday unanimously adopted a motion of confidence in Dr Mahathir Mohamad in response to a US congressman's call for the premier to apologise or resign over alleged anti-American and anti-Semitic remarks.
The motion, tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, came amid signs of increasing strain in Malaysian-US relations caused by recent developments.
Among them were the resignation call from the US, contained in a proposed congressional resolution, and Washington's efforts to block an Iranian gas deal involving Malaysia's national oil company, Petronas.
This week, US Ambassador to Malaysia John Malott delivered a direct assault on the rising incidence of 'America-bashing'. Dr Mahathir responded by saying Malaysians had a right to express their feelings.
The motion called on the international community to acknowledge the rights of people of all countries to determine their own leadership and policies.
It said the house viewed seriously a letter from the congressman and 33 colleagues to Dr Mahathir alleging that he was anti-Jewish.