Malaysia condemns Meta for removing posts on prime minister’s meeting with Hamas leader

The prime minister clarified that he had no involvement with the group’s military activities.

Malaysia

Malaysia’s communications minister has criticised Meta Platforms for removing Facebook posts by local media covering Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with a Hamas leader in Qatar. Anwar clarified that while he has diplomatic relations with Hamas’s political leadership, he is not involved in its military activities.

Expressing Malaysia’s support for the Palestinian cause, the government has asked Meta to explain the removal of posts by two media outlets about Anwar’s meeting. Additionally, a Facebook account covering Palestinian issues was closed.

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil condemned Meta’s actions, noting the posts’ relevance to the prime minister’s official visit to Qatar. He emphasised concerns about Meta’s disregard for media freedom.

Last October, Fahmi warned of potential actions against Meta and other social media platforms if they obstructed pro-Palestinian content since Malaysia consistently advocates for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.