Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has again defended his decision to invite US president Donald Trump to the upcoming Asean Summit, this time drawing a parallel with Tunku Abdul Rahman’s diplomatic efforts to secure Malaya’s independence.
Speaking at a “Solidarity with Gaza” event tonight, Anwar said diplomacy, even with those who are deemed to be adversaries, is sometimes necessary for the greater good.
“When Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted (to secure) independence (for Malaya), he brought a delegation to London to meet our colonisers, the ones who oppressed us and Islam.
“But diplomacy was important, because our goal was independence,” he told a crowd of more than 10,000 at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil.
Anwar said his call for dialogue with Trump was guided by a similar principle: the pursuit of peace.
He said he and the other Asean member states yearned for peace in Gaza and for Palestinians to no longer suffer.
“If this means that we invite Trump, what’s wrong with negotiating? I’m not surrendering, I’m negotiating,” he said.
MORE TO COME
