PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s invitation to US President Donald Trump for the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit is part of its duty as ASEAN Chair and not an endorsement of any leader’s policies, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Senior Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah, emphasized that Malaysia, as chair, is responsible for ensuring the presence of all dialogue partners, using the platform to demonstrate leadership on the global stage.
“Rejecting Trump’s attendance is not the solution. Diplomacy requires us to speak the truth directly, not avoid it. Malaysia will continue to stand firm on Palestine, while fulfilling its responsibility to lead ASEAN toward a stable and prosperous region,” he said during a PMO briefing in Putrajaya today.
The PMO reaffirmed Malaysia’s unwavering support for Palestine, noting that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has consistently condemned Israeli aggression and has been one of the strongest voices defending Gaza internationally.
Beyond diplomatic representation, Malaysia’s ASEAN Chair priorities include strengthening economic cooperation, attracting strategic investments, boosting trade, and advancing regional integration.
“ASEAN must speak with one voice and work with all partners—not just the US, but also China, Japan, Korea, Australia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council,” Tunku Nashrul added.
The 47th ASEAN Summit, scheduled for October in Kuala Lumpur, will mark Malaysia’s final year as chair before the Philippines takes over.
On the humanitarian front, the PMO highlighted Prime Minister Anwar’s patronage of Sumud Nusantara, a Malaysian initiative providing aid to Gaza. The Prime Minister is closely monitoring local activists in high-risk zones and urges that humanitarian corridors remain open.
“Their courage reflects the compassion of Malaysians for the suffering in Gaza,” Tunku Nashrul remarked.
In domestic developments, the PMO announced that all 16 million eligible Malaysians can now purchase RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre, down from the unsubsidized RM2.60. Over 912,000 people—including Armed Forces, police, and STR recipients—have already redeemed benefits totaling 21.8 million litres of subsidized fuel worth RM43.7 million.
Each eligible individual is entitled to 300 litres per month, translating to a subsidy of up to RM183. The government is also working with e-hailing operators and exploring ways to extend fuel subsidies to boat operators in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The Madani government will continue strengthening this policy to ease the burden on the people,” said Tunku Nashrul.
This approach highlights Malaysia’s delicate balance between fulfilling ASEAN duties, standing firm on humanitarian principles, and ensuring domestic support reaches those in need—a reflection of both strategic leadership and empathy for citizens and the global community.
