Malaysia's prime minister backed China's claim to Taiwan and hinted force would be justified, and his own citizens turned on him for it — bad news for Malaysia's image as a neutral player.

• Anwar Ibrahim said Taiwan is part of China and framed it as a breakaway province, comparing it to a Malaysian state trying to leave.
• Asked whether he would condemn China for invading Taiwan, he said he would defend his own country's unity in the same situation.
• Malaysians piled on with over 2,000 comments, taunting him to "take Singapore back by force" if he really believes that.
• Others accused him of selling out to Beijing and said the remarks cost Malaysia both face and money.

Outlook: The backlash is likely to keep hurting Anwar at home, and Malaysia will find it harder to look neutral between China and the West.