Malaysian PM decries Meta's censorship over Palestinian conflict

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim criticized U.S. social media giant Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, over its censorship policy on Thursday, reported Xinhua.

Anwar said in a statement that the company was "rude and insulting" after it once again removed videos, messages of condolences and criticism regarding the killing of Hamas Politburo Chief Ismail Haniyeh from Anwar's social media accounts.

In a separate statement, the Prime Minister's Office said Meta's actions clearly show discrimination against the situation in Palestine and its leaders.

"Therefore, we demand an explanation regarding this matter and urge Meta to apologize," it said.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad condemned the bias of Western leaders and their media in labeling Haniyeh as a terrorist and for its hypocrisy in refusing to restrain Israel's actions in the Gaza conflict.

"The self-styled civilized Western leaders labeled Haniyeh, Hamas and other Palestinian freedom fighters as terrorists. The utter hypocrisy of the West and their ilk is nauseating," he said.

"I am angry because the Western world, which can make a difference, chooses to keep quiet and instead sides with the Israelis in committing their acts of terror and conducting genocide on Palestinians," he added.

Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed early Wednesday when their residence in Tehran was hit in an airstrike.