No risk of sanctions for backing Iran, says Middle East expert

 

Iranian and Middle East expert Julia Roknifard said Malaysia hedges between the US and China to maintain a balance.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s support for Iran’s drone attack on Israel does not pose a risk of direct sanctions from countries in the global north, says a specialist in Iranian and Middle East studies.

Julia Roknifard, an assistant professor of the University of Nottingham, said direct sanctions were very unlikely given Malaysia’s position in Southeast Asia and other developments in the region involving China.

However, there could be some “behind-the-scenes mechanisms” to apply pressure, such as soft punitive economic measures, limiting foreign direct investment or having private companies withdraw from Malaysia.

“It’s not easy to sanction or abandon Malaysia for good in light of geopolitical developments in Southeast Asia, especially in the South China Sea,” she told FMT.

Southeast Asia is a battleground for US-China rivalry, with the two powers competing to hold sway over regional actors.

Tensions between the US and China in the South China Sea have persisted for years, intensifying over the past decade with China’s increased military presence and construction activities in disputed areas.

In a bid to challenge China’s maritime claims and to assert the principles of freedom of navigation under international law, the US initiated freedom navigation operations in 2015, which has contributed to the escalation of tensions in the region.

Roknifard said Malaysia hedges between the US and China, preferring to maintain a balance between the two powers.

“Malaysia wouldn’t be interested in any of them pulling out because it also tries to benefit from this kind of competition taking place.

“If the US were to abandon and sanction Malaysia, and include it into the ‘axis of evil’ supporters of Hamas or Iran, there would be a vacuum which would ultimately be filled up by China,” she said.

On April 15, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia supported Iran’s decision to launch a drone attack on Israel, describing the attack as a “legitimate act”.

According to geostrategist Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara, Malaysia’s backing of Iran was not unusual as most countries would understand Iran’s right to defend itself, in light of Israel’s attack on its diplomatic mission in Damascus, Syria.

“Malaysia views Iran as one of the nations that are being bullied by Israel, and by extension, the US. That’s why we are being very vocal with our support.

“It’s similar to our support for Gaza. Our prime minister has openly communicated with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, not once, but twice. So, I don’t see any reason for us to be concerned about our security because of our support for Iran,” Azmi said. - FMT