Reuters denies reporting Malaysia as listed ‘terror state’ by the US
TODAY Reuters denied that it published a report that is going viral in Malaysia in WhatsApp groups, stating Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia (SEA) to be listed by the US as a state sponsor of terror.
The news agency confirmed these are false reports on X (formerly Twitter).
“Any claims that Reuters reported that Malaysia is the first country in Southeast Asia to be listed by the US as a state sponsor of terror are false. Reuters did not report this.”
The WhatsApp message claimed it is an article from Reuters and cites some US officials as saying Malaysia is being watched as a source of funding for terror organisations and Iran.
“US has imposed sanctions on four Malaysian-based companies, making it the first country in SEA to be listed as a state sponsor of terror, this comes after officials from the US State Department arrived in Malaysia over the week and held discussions with Malaysian officials including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” the Whatsapp message reads.
The WhatsApp message also stated the conversation between US officials and Malaysian officials ‘were bitter and short’ as US attempts to curb Iran and its proxies of financing in the region, according to sources ‘who spoke under the condition of anonymity’.
It further added that US officials have requested Malaysian officials to tone down their support for Hamas and Gaza both publicly and privately and impose anti-terrorism measures.
“We have seen in recent months how Malaysia is playing a vital role in terrorist financing with Iran, Russia and Hamas,” it quoted sanctions official Nelson McBride as saying.
“This includes allowing terrorist individuals to access the Malaysian banking system for money laundering, allowing ship-to-ship transfers of oil in its waters, and promoting terrorist groups like Hamas in the country.”
He added that he found it strange how Malaysia can export more oil than it produces. – FocusM, May 11, 2024
