KUALA LUMPUR: Norway’s unilateral decision to scrap a missile deal with Malaysia points to a "dangerous trend of double standards" for the rule of law and a worrying erosion of respect for international norms, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.Speaking at the 39th Asia-Pacific Roundtable - which discusses key issues impacting the Asia-Pacific region - in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (Jul 2), Anwar also blasted the “hypocrisy of those who are conveniently muted on such violations”. “Is it acceptable for some countries to ignore international laws and norms, while others are subjected to the strictest standard of compliance?” he said, as he questioned whether Western powers are leaning towards a principle of “one rule for me, and another for thee”. “If this is how partners in the West are going to treat those in the Global South … then it does not bode well for our future as equitable partners and friends. As the old Dutch saying goes, ‘trust arrives on foot and departs on horseback’,” said Anwar. In May, the Norwegian foreign ministry had said that “certain licences related to the export of specific defence technology to Malaysia have been revoked”.This followed earlier reports that Norway had banned the delivery of the Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) just days before the scheduled date under a procurement contract signed in April 2018 with Malaysia.Anwar had then chastised Norway’s decision and said that signed contracts are binding obligations, and not mere "confetti" to be discarded at will.On Thursday during the question-and-answer session after his keynote address, Anwar noted that leaders from the European Union (EU) have reaffirmed their support for Malaysia after he had written to them to demand clarity on whether the Norwegian government’s decision reflected a broader European position.Anwar said that among others, French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had told him that the Scandinavian country’s position did not represent that of the EU’s.Although closely aligned with the bloc, Norway is not an EU member.“Is it a fair decision taken? No reasons given. In fact I did speak to him, the Prime Minister of Norway (Jonas Gahr Stoere) … he said (it was because of) security considerations. You think we are selling these missiles to Al Qaeda?” Anwar said, referring to the militant group that was responsible for the Sep 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. Anwar also noted that while the Malaysian government initially suspected the US of having pressured Norway to cancel the missile deal, he said that this was not the case.Anwar pointed out that the US continues to supply weapons to Malaysia. “People will say ‘why do I choose to defend the US’. I am not defending the US, I am giving the facts. We were not sure … We acknowledge that we were wrong,” he said.