22-2-2025 (KUALA LUMPUR) Former US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to evacuate more than 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and transform the war-ravaged territory into a luxury resort destination has triggered widespread condemnation in Malaysia, one of Asia’s strongest supporters of Palestinian rights.
The Malaysian chapter of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) Movement swiftly denounced Trump’s scheme as “grotesquely misguided”. The group, which has successfully orchestrated boycotts of Western brands with perceived Israeli connections including Starbucks and McDonald’s since the Gaza conflict began, labelled the plan “utterly detached from reality”.
“These territories belong to Palestinians and will remain Palestinian land – full stop”, declared Nor Aida Yassin, a Kuala Lumpur-based accountant, echoing widespread public sentiment. “It’s unfathomable that anyone would propose appropriating land that neither America nor Israel has any legitimate claim to”.
Trump unveiled his vision during an 8 February press conference alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just as Palestinians were beginning to return to their devastated neighbourhoods following the temporary cessation of hostilities. The announcement has effectively undermined the very ceasefire deal Trump had earlier claimed credit for brokering.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during his recent state visit to Malaysia, demanded Israel take financial responsibility for Gaza’s reconstruction, estimated at $100 billion. “Netanyahu should focus on funding repairs rather than plotting to exile Gazans from their homeland”, Erdogan stated.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has pursued a markedly different approach, pledging to help rebuild essential infrastructure in Gaza through Islamic charitable endowments in partnership with Japan. This initiative operates within the framework of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD), a nine-nation coalition providing humanitarian assistance whilst respecting Palestinian sovereignty.
However, Anwar faces mounting pressure to moderate his stance on Gaza, with advisers reportedly concerned about potential economic repercussions from the Trump administration. Malaysia’s export-dependent economy remains vulnerable to US trade measures, particularly in the semiconductor sector where chip exports to America represent 1.4% of Malaysia’s GDP.
For ordinary Malaysians like Faizal Azman, a local driver, Trump’s proposal represents a betrayal: “First they claimed Trump helped secure a ceasefire, now he wants to completely dispossess Palestinians of their homeland”.
The plan has met with sharp criticism from Arab nations, European leaders, and UN officials, who warn it could constitute ethnic cleansing. Despite international outcry, Trump has remained steadfast in his position, backed by Israeli leadership who maintain their military campaign represents necessary defensive action.
