Asian Angle | Malaysia’s support for Palestinians will always be firm amid politicisation among rival parties
- Geographical distance from the conflict zone allows Malaysia to be more absolute in its stance on Palestinian statehood
- A surge in social media posts on the Palestinian crisis will have a long-term impact on global opinions
Thus, in some ways, what is currently coming out of Kuala Lumpur is a continuation of the same stance observable every time escalations occur between the two conflicting sides. In other ways, however, there are subtle differences that underscore a ratcheting up of the rhetoric and posture and may hold broader significance.
Cynics will point to the distinctly performative aspect of the entire Malaysian enterprise vis-à-vis Palestine, especially considering the limited observable effects these efforts have had on the state of affairs in Gaza, at least thus far. That may be an incomplete reading, not least since the diplomatic interventions required to change events on the ground are far larger than what Malaysia can accomplish alone. The question ought to be less about “What has Malaysia achieved?” and more about the perennial “Why is there not a more collective and coordinated intervention by a coalition of countries?”
Nonetheless, even performative indignation merits examination, if nothing else to consider how this moment – and Malaysia’s meeting of it – may prove to be a unique inflection point in anticipating longer-term trends.
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For example, we should note the far-reaching and multitudinous impact of social media’s proliferation on the war of narratives, pun intended. A new generation of media-savvy – often Palestinian – commentators and communicators have been challenging the usual portrayals and tropes on global news networks, and are able to crystallise arguments that most Malaysians already intuitively believe.