PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has strongly criticised American conservative political commentator Bill O’Reilly for his disparaging remarks about Southeast Asia’s economic standing, calling them “arrogant” and “ignorant”.
O’Reilly, in a recent video segment, claimed that Malaysians “have no money” and were therefore irrelevant as a trading partner to China—a comment that drew sharp rebuke from Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister.
“This is a clear display of extreme arrogance by individuals who are, in fact, poorly informed, ignorant, and who believe that only their group or nation is successful,” said Anwar during a media conference following the Ministry of Finance’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration on Friday.
“In social sciences, this is referred to as a trapped mindset — a worldview shaped by imperialist attitudes that fosters xenophobia, racial prejudice, and Islamophobia,” he added, pointing to what he described as a deeply entrenched colonialist outlook in O’Reilly’s commentary.
Anwar was joined at the event by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, along with Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, and Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican.
O’Reilly’s comment came in response to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visits to Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia. During Xi’s three-day official visit to Malaysia — his second since 2013 — the two countries elevated their diplomatic relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Anwar and Xi also held bilateral discussions at the Seri Perdana Complex, covering key areas of cooperation and exchanging views on regional and international matters of mutual interest.
The leaders witnessed the signing of 31 documents, including memoranda of understanding, agreements, and letters of intent between the Malaysian and Chinese governments.
Malaysia and China have enjoyed strong diplomatic ties since 1974, celebrating the 50th anniversary of that relationship in 2024. China has been Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years. In 2023, total bilateral trade reached RM484.12 billion, comprising 16.8% of Malaysia’s total global trade of RM2.88 trillion.
