Malaysia draws fire for hosting Israel’s weapons suppliers at defence expo

“Stop promoting Israel’s arms suppliers in Malaysia!” read a flier sent out on Malaysian social media by Gegar, an makeshift coalition focused on protesting US arms aid to Israel and one of the groups expected to join Tuesday’s protest.

Yet the decision to invite Lockheed Martin and BAE to exhibit at the DSA Expo has raised questions about the consistency of Anwar’s criticism with the actions of Malaysia’s government.

In the days leading up to the expo, which runs from Monday to Thursday, Anwar’s administration came under fire from opposition and boycott groups who demanded that Lockheed Martin and BAE be barred from the event for enabling the “genocide” of Palestinians.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, more than 34,000 people have been killed in the war so far – mostly civilians, including many women and children. The months-long offensive was launched in retaliation for an attack by Hamas on October 7 that resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 people in southern Israel, with around 250 more taken hostage.

Responding to the criticism, Defence Minister Khaled Nordin said on Tuesday that Malaysia, as a free trading nation, allows for all global players to market their products and services, and does not interfere with any business dealings between companies and any country.

“The ties between several global defence manufacturers and certain nations are business dealing and Malaysia will not get involved,” Khaled said in a statement posted on his Facebook page early on Tuesday.

“This expo does not take sides with or give an advantage to any country or company.”

The DSA is organised by a Malaysian company. This year’s edition is officially supported by the defence and interior ministries as strategic partners.

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