BUKIT JALIL, Oct 9 — Malaysia’s decision to invite United States President Donald Trump to the upcoming Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur is part of Putrajaya‘s strategic effort to push for Palestinian rights through diplomacy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night.
Dismissing criticism of the invitation, Anwar said that engagement with world powers is necessary to achieve meaningful change.
“In the name of Asean, we want to invite Donald Trump. What’s wrong with negotiating? I am not surrendering, I want to negotiate,” he said at the “Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza” rally at the Axiata Arena here to loud cheers.
Anwar said he hopes his meeting with Trump during the summit later this month will help advance the cause of a sovereign Palestinian state.
He added that Malaysia would use the diplomatic platform to continue voicing support for the Palestinian struggle while maintaining a firm and principled stance.
“When Tunku Abdul Rahman wanted independence, he and his delegation went to London to meet the British — the colonisers of our country, who oppressed our people, exploited our wealth, exiled our rulers, and demeaned Islam in our land. Yet diplomatic negotiations were important because the goal was independence.
“Vietnam, which was once colonised by France and America, went to Paris to negotiate peace. My colleagues and I want peace. Stop killing the children in Gaza, stop hurting their women, give them their rights and their freedom,” he said.
Trump is expected to attend the Asean–US Summit and the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur, which will be held alongside the 47th Asean Summit from October 26 to 28, the largest in the bloc’s history since its establishment in 1976.
Apart from Trump, several world leaders including President Vladimir Putin are expected to attend, along with leaders from Asia, Europe, Canada, Africa and Latin America.
