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The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that tensions between the US and Malaysia have intensified, two years after Anwar Ibrahim, a veteran politician and known advocate for democracy, assumed the role of Malaysia's Prime Minister.

Initially regarded as a potential ally for the US, Anwar’s administration has instead seen relations between the two countries grow increasingly strained.

The friction comes as Malaysia, a critical player in the global semiconductor supply chain, reacts to Washington's support for "Israel's" actions in Gaza.

The report highlights widespread anger in the Muslim-majority nation, where US consumer brands like Starbucks and McDonald’s have faced boycotts and vandalism, even as American tech firms continue to invest in Malaysia’s chip manufacturing sector.

PM Anwar Ibrahim has publicly criticized the US for its failure to prevent suffering in Gaza, while simultaneously strengthening Malaysia's ties with China.

During a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang in June, Anwar dismissed what he described as "constant propaganda" suggesting that Malaysians should fear China's growing influence, noting that his experience with Chinese leadership has been characterized by respect and cultural understanding.

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Despite the escalating tensions, Anwar has maintained that Malaysia seeks to preserve its economic ties with the US and that the two nations remain friends despite their differences.

However, the report indicates that the war in Gaza has significantly impacted public opinion, creating deep challenges for US interests in the region while providing China with strategic advantages.

WSJ further notes that in a recent poll conducted across 16 Arab countries, a significant majority expressed increasingly negative views of the US since the onset of the war on Gaza.

The discontent is echoed globally, with people in many countries, particularly those with Muslim-majority populations, showing strong disapproval of President Biden's handling of the situation.

Analysts suggest that while China has been adept at capitalizing on dissatisfaction with the US, it has not yet shown an interest in assuming a major security role in the Middle East.

Nevertheless, China's pro-Palestinian stance has earned it favor among several nations, potentially reshaping alliances in the region.

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