KUALA LUMPUR – American political commentator Bill O’Reilly has doubled down on his controversial remarks about Malaysia, claiming in a video that Malaysians are “barely eating” and cannot afford “Chinese takeout” or even “a little hat” due to low income levels.
“Malaysia is mad at me. This is an unbelievable story,” he began in the video, posted on social media, referencing recent backlash over his earlier criticism of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Southeast Asia.
“Wow, colonialist. Okay, I have to break it to the Prime Minister, I do. But the household per capita income in Malaysia is US$5,731 a year. By comparison, the USA household income capita [is] US$42,220 – that would be eight times as much,” he said.
“So if you wanna buy a little hat and you’re only making five grand a year you’re not gonna buy it okay, you’re not getting Chinese take out either in Kuala Lumpur – you’re barely eating!”
O’Reilly added: “So Prime Minister I wish you the best. I’ve been to Malaysia – it’s beautiful but complicated, but beautiful alright. (Former US president) Barack Obama, he was partially raised there. We want you to succeed but this colonialist told the truth. China is not gonna be able to sell itself in your country.”
The Prime Mister of #Malaysia is mad at me. Here's why. #NoSpin pic.twitter.com/gJFeahHyfa
— Bill O'Reilly (@BillOReilly) April 23, 2025
However, several of O’Reilly’s claims are factually inaccurate. According to World Bank data, Malaysia’s GDP per capita in 2023 stood at approximately US$11,379. When adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) – a more accurate measure of living standards – it was around US$36,416, placing Malaysia among the upper middle-income nations.
Additionally, Obama spent part of his childhood not in Malaysia, but in neighbouring Indonesia. He moved to Jakarta in 1967 at the age of six and lived there until he was ten, an experience he has often cited as formative in shaping his worldview.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier lambasted O’Reilly’s remarks as both “arrogant” and “ignorant”.
Speaking after the Finance Ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration last Friday, Anwar said the pundit’s comments revealed a deep misunderstanding of Asia and the economic realities of the region.
“It reflects the extremism and arrogance of someone who is, in fact, shallow and ignorant. They assume only their group and their country are the most successful,” said Anwar.
“Clearly, he has no understanding whatsoever of Asia, Asean, or the latest developments here.”
The prime minister was responding to O’Reilly’s earlier viral video, in which he ridiculed Xi Jinping’s recent state visits to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, claiming the three nations were too poor to support China’s trade ambitions.
“Hey President Xi, let me just break it to you. Those folks have no money at all. They’re not going to buy your stuff. I don’t know why you’re going there. The Malays aren’t gonna buy your stuff – they don’t have any money,” O’Reilly said.
Xi began his official visit to Malaysia on April 15 at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim. The visit marks his second to the country, following his 2013 trip that elevated bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Malaysia and China established diplomatic ties on May 31, 1974. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two countries reached RM484.12 billion, accounting for 16.8% of Malaysia’s total global trade value of RM2.88 trillion.
Anwar further described O’Reilly’s comments as indicative of a mindset still entrenched in colonial attitudes.
“This is what we refer to in the social sciences as a trapped way of thinking – still burdened by imperialism and colonialism,” he said. – April 24, 2025