US President Donald Trump has not set conditions for his upcoming visit to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th Asean Summit, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
The Straits Times today reported Zafrul (above) as affirming the matter during an interview with the Singaporean daily on Oct 8.
"From our understanding, there are no conditions. No conditions at all," Zafrul was quoted as saying.
"No, we are not aware (of this)," he added when asked about a recent report on the matter.
The minister insisted that Trump's alleged conditions were not raised during his phone call with one of the deputy US trade representatives (USTR) on Oct 7, noting that preparations remain "on track," with the USTR team scheduled to arrive on Oct 13.
Earlier this week, US media agency Politico reported that Trump is willing to attend the Asean Summit on condition that he is allowed to highlight his so-called regional peacemaking efforts.
Citing three unnamed sources familiar with the matter, Politico reported that the White House has made Trump’s attendance at the meeting conditional upon the Malaysian government agreeing to allow him to preside over a ceremonial signing of a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on the sidelines of the summit.
The White House has also allegedly requested that summit organisers exclude Chinese officials from the event, in an apparent bid to keep the spotlight on Trump, while downplaying Beijing’s mediation efforts between Bangkok and Phnom Penh during the Cambodian–Thai border crisis that occurred this year.
Protest against Trump
Yesterday, Palestinian liberation advocacy group Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia announced it will hold a joint protest with more than 23 partner organisations on Oct 26 to express their opposition to Trump's presence at the Asean Summit.
Group chairperson Nazari Ismail said that although they respected the government’s official stance and diplomatic approaches, the public is allowed to express their views through a peaceful gathering in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Criticism over Trump's scheduled visit to Malaysia also intensified after Israel intercepted five Global Sumud Flotilla ships last week, with Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh vowing to confront Trump "head-on" if Putrajaya insists on allowing Trump's attendance at the summit.
Various government figures, however, have defended the move, including Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan who urged critics to understand that the invitation to Trump was done in Malaysia’s capacity as the Asean chair.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also said the summit would provide a diplomatic platform to continue raising the Palestinian issue. - Mkini
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