KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday condemned Norway’s move to revoke the export license for a naval missile system for Malaysia's navy, warning it could damage confidence in European defense suppliers.
Anwar said he raised Malaysia’s “vehement objection” during a phone call with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, after Oslo blocked delivery of the Naval Strike Missile system and launcher components intended for Malaysia’s littoral combat ship program.
“Malaysia has honored every obligation under this contract since 2018: scrupulously, faithfully and without equivocation,” Anwar said in a statement. “Norway, it appears, has not felt compelled to extend us the same courtesy and demonstration of good faith."
The missile manufacturer, Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace AS, said export licensing decisions are handled entirely by Norwegian authorities, according to Malaysian national news agency Bernama.
The Norwegian government hasn't made any public comments on the cancellation of the missile system or Anwar's remarks.
Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin told local media that the government had already paid nearly 95% of the contract value when Oslo blocked delivery in March.
The NSM anti-ship missile system was meant to equip Malaysia’s new class of littoral combat ships as part of its modernization efforts.
Anwar said Oslo's move would hurt Malaysia's operational readiness and "undoubtedly carry broader ramifications for the regional balance.”
He questioned the reliability of European defense suppliers if signed agreements could be reversed unilaterally.
“Signed contracts are solemn instruments. They are not confetti to be scattered in so capricious a manner,” the Malaysian leader said. “If European defense suppliers reserve the right to renege with impunity, their value as strategic partners flies out the window.”
Khaled said the government was now examining legal options and possible compensation claims over the cancelled delivery.
Visitors are gathered next to a display of an NSM Naval Strike Missile made by Norwegian company Kongsberg, presented at the Euronaval show, in Le Bourget, North of Paris, France, Wednesday Oct. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere)
Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit ahead of the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu province, Philippines, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (Rolex Dela Pena/Pool Photo via AP)
LONDON (AP) — Efforts to unseat British Prime Minister Keir Starmer broke out into open rebellion Thursday, with one potential rival resigning from the Cabinet and another clearing the way for her to enter any future leadership contest.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting became the first senior minister to quit Starmer ’s Cabinet on Thursday in what is expected to be a precursor to challenging his leadership.
Starmer is facing growing pressure to step down after his Labour Party’s disastrous results last week in local and regional elections.
“You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage — not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran," Streeting wrote in a letter. “But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift.”
“It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election," he added.
Streeting, whose political ambitions have long been known, is considered one of a handful of people who could try to unseat Starmer.
Another likely challenger, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, said Thursday that she had reached an agreement with tax authorities to clear up questions about her taxes that forced her to leave the Cabinet last September. Rayner told the Guardian newspaper that Starmer should “reflect on” his position, adding that she was ready to “play my part” in any leadership election if Streeting were to trigger a contest.
Pressure for Starmer to step aside has intensified since Labour suffered disastrous losses in local and regional elections last week, underscoring voter frustration with a government that has failed to deliver on pledges to boost economic growth and improve living standards for working people.
A stagnant economy and stubbornly high consumer price inflation have made it difficult for Starmer’s government to deliver on its promises after winning a landslide election victory less than two years ago.
Starmer has vowed to remain in office, warning lawmakers that any leadership contest would plunge the government into “chaos” at a time it should be focused on issues like the cost of living crisis and war in the Middle East.
His effort to fight off a leadership challenge was bolstered Thursday morning by a rare bit of positive economic news.
Gross domestic product, a broad measure of economic activity, grew 0.6% in the first three months of the year, compared with 0.2% in the previous quarter, the Office for National Statistics said.
Treasury chief Rachel Reeves said the figures showed that her policies were working and that renewed economic growth would allow the government to put more money into public services and programs to support those hit by the high cost of living.
“But that is only possible because of the economic stability that we have brought back to our economy,” she told the BBC. “And we shouldn’t put that at risk by plunging the country in chaos at a time when there is conflict in the world.”
There was also positive news from the National Health Service. Waiting lines for NHS appointments — one of Streeting's signature priorities – had fallen for the fifth straight month, boosting any potential candidacy.
Streeting comes from the moderate wing of the left-leaning Labour Party, as does Starmer. Rayner is a favorite of many more left-wing voters, calling on the party to do more to boost the minimum wage and raise taxes on the rich.
Under Labour Party rules, any potential challenger to the prime minister would have to have the backing of 81 of the party’s 403 members in the House of Commons. More than that number have publicly called on Starmer to quit in recent days.
But other potential candidates may enter any race for the leadership.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has been widely discussed as a potential candidate, though he would have to find a way back into Parliament before he could run. Allies have suggested a sitting member of the House of Commons could resign to make way for Burnham to run in a special election.
Burnham canceled his regular Thursday appearance on a local BBC radio program this week to “prioritize discussions arising from last week’s elections.”
British Health Secretary Wes Streeting walks through the House of Commons to attend the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, center, walks through the House of Commons to attend the State Opening of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Toby Melville/Pool Photo via AP)
Members of the King's Body Guards of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms arrive at the Sovereign's Entrance for the State Opening of Parliament in the House of Lords, in London, Wednesday May 13, 2026. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
