Malaysia, Brunei voice concern over West Asia tensions, urge restraint and respect for sovereignty

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah at the Nurul Iman Palace today. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 22 Aug 2026 6:19 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — Malaysia and Brunei expressed profound concern over the heightened tensions and renewed hostilities in West Asia, particularly involving the United States and Israel against Iran, and the retaliatory strikes against several countries in the region.

In a joint statement issued following the 27th Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Bandar Seri Begawan on Saturday, Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the situation had resulted in civilian casualties, damage to infrastructure and a worsening humanitarian situation.

“They urged all parties to exercise restraint, avoid further escalation, respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, and return to dialogue and diplomacy, towards ending the hostilities and coming to a resolution,” the statement said.

The leaders further noted that the situation had disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting global supply chains in energy and essential goods.

“In this regard, they underscored the importance of maintaining maritime safety and security, and upholding freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).

“They expressed deep concern over any discriminatory or unilateral measures which are inconsistent with international law, and called for the restoration of the safe, unimpeded, and continuous transit passage of vessels and aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz, in accordance with the 1982 Unclos,” it said.

On Palestine, both leaders emphasised that the Palestinian issue remains the root cause of conflict and broader instability in the region and expressed strong condemnation against the continued acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing committed by Israel, the Occupying Power.

They also condemned the indiscriminate violence and blockade of humanitarian access and aid delivery, which have resulted in mass casualties and prolonged suffering of the Palestinian people.

The leaders urged the international community to act decisively to end the cycle of impunity, including by ensuring respect for international law and securing a permanent ceasefire, with a view to ending the occupation and aggression by the Occupying Power.

Both leaders also welcomed the growing global momentum towards recognising Palestinian statehood and reiterated their call for Palestine’s admission as a full Member State of the United Nations.

On a broader regional context, the leaders also strongly condemned the targeting of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), comprising personnel from the Malaysian Battalion and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF).

Both leaders emphasised that the safety and security of United Nations personnel must be fully ensured, and called upon all parties to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure accountability for all attacks against United Nations personnel and their premises.

They also called for full respect for Unifil’s mandate, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) and 2823 (2026). — Bernama