Mukhriz Mahathir defends anti-US remarks amid controversy

Malaysian politician Mukhriz Mahathir has triggered a social media storm after declaring in a video that he “hates Americans, all of them”, over Washington’s support for Israel – echoing the fierce anti-US rhetoric long associated with his father, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad.

“I hate Americans. I despise Israelis, but I hate Americans, all of them,” Mukhriz said in the video, posted on Saturday.

“It matters not if they’re Republican or Democrat, pro-Israel or pro-Palestine. None of it matters to me,” he said, arguing that ordinary Americans should also share responsibility for the actions of leaders elected in their name.

Malaysia, a Muslim-majority nation, has long been one of Southeast Asia’s staunchest backers of the Palestinian cause and does not recognise Israel as a state.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government has repeatedly condemned Israel’s conduct in Gaza, a stance that has increasingly put Kuala Lumpur at odds with Washington over Malaysia’s refusal to admit Israeli citizens.