As such, he said, the US must be fair and should not choose to abstain when it comes to discussions on the conflict (ceasefire) in Gaza.

“I emphasise the need for all countries to press for a ceasefire in Gaza so there will be no further loss of civilian lives, especially infants.

“Stop the atrocities in Gaza; stop it now,” he said at the Apec economic leaders’ meeting retreat, chaired by US president Joe Biden and attended by representatives from all Apec member countries.

At the meeting, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said as a trading nation, Malaysia needs to have good trade ties with major powers, including the US and China.

“As such, I welcome the bilateral meeting that was held between the presidents of the US and China (recently),” he said.

Biden and Chinese president Xi Jinping met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Apec meeting here.