In addressing Trump, Malaysia and Asean reaffirm that engagement does not equal submission. It is a demonstration of strength, the ability to disagree with respect, and to confront global inequities through dialogue rather than silence. - AP
KUALA LUMPUR: The attendance of United States President Donald Trump at this year’s Asean Summit has sparked diverse reactions, from skepticism about his controversial political style to questions about Asean’s readiness to engage a leader long associated with unilateralism, protectionism and, in many respects, anti-Islamic rhetoric.
Yet, for Malaysia under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Trump’s presence is not about endorsement or approval of his policies.
It is, instead, a moment of strategic diplomacy, an opportunity for Malaysia and Asean to firmly articulate their stance toward an administration that often acts as the world’s self-appointed arbiter, disregarding the sovereignty and dignity of other nations, particularly in its handling of Israel’s aggression in Gaza and its constrictive trade policies.
Malaysia has never agreed with, let alone endorsed, Trump’s worldview or policies. His administration’s trade tariffs, which penalise developing nations, his unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and his dismissive remarks toward the Muslim world all revealed a worldview rooted in domination and exceptionalism.
However, diplomacy is not the art of hostility, it is the art of wisdom. It is where nations assert their principles without descending into antagonism, where dialogue becomes a form of strength, not surrender.
In that spirit, Asean’s engagement with Trump represents not approval, but assertion, a chance to demonstrate that South-East Asia is no longer a passive actor, but a confident region that demands respect and parity in global affairs.
Since assuming office, Anwar has redefined Malaysia’s foreign policy posture, active, principled and intellectually grounded. Under his leadership, Malaysia has ceased to be a mere participant in international forums, it has become a moral and strategic voice.
From the United Nations to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Anwar’s message has been consistent: the world must return to universal principles of justice, reject hegemonic behavior and respect the sovereignty of all nations.
Facing a figure such as Trump demands both courage and finesse. Criticising a global superpower while maintaining constructive engagement is a delicate art, one that requires not only political acumen but also moral clarity.
This is precisely what Anwar’s diplomacy embodies: a willingness to speak truth to power, to engage without submission and to insist that Malaysia and Asean will not remain silent in the face of global injustice, particularly against the Palestinian people.
Asean stands at a critical juncture in history. The global order is shifting, from Western hegemony to the resurgence of Asia.
Thus, Asean’s engagement with Trump is not about accommodating power but asserting dignity. Malaysia, through Anwar’s leadership, plays a pivotal role in ensuring Asean speaks with moral authority.
The presence of the US President should not be seen as a moment of deference but as an opportunity to display Asean’s maturity as a cohesive, peace-driven and economically dynamic bloc.
The Madani framework that underpins Malaysia’s diplomacy reinforces this vision, one based on compassion, balance and shared responsibility among nations.
Trump’s leadership continues to divide global opinion. For many, he symbolises a politics of populism and arrogance that undermines global unity.
Yet Malaysia approaches him not with emotion, but with reason. Anwar has long argued that rejecting oppression does not mean rejecting dialogue.
To oppose injustice does not mean to isolate oneself. This is the essence of Malaysia’s Madani diplomacy, principled engagement rooted in ethics, not opportunism.
Malaysia does not wait for approval from global powers. It speaks independently, driven by moral conviction.
In addressing Trump, Malaysia and Asean reaffirm that engagement does not equal submission. It is a demonstration of strength, the ability to disagree with respect, and to confront global inequities through dialogue rather than silence.
Trump’s participation at the Asean Summit is, in many ways, a test, not of his leadership, but of Asean’s resilience. Can the region uphold its collective identity amid the pressures of global power politics?
Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership has proven vital in this regard. His firm stance on Gaza and his bold criticism of Israel’s atrocities at international forums have shown that Malaysia will not bow to Western pressure.
Thus, when engaging with Trump, Malaysia’s position remains clear: Asean does not reject the United States. It rejects arrogance, double standards and policies that perpetuate inequality.
Trump’s appearance at the Asean Summit should not be mistaken for endorsement but viewed as a test of diplomatic maturity. Under Anwar’s leadership, Malaysia and Asean project a new face of Asian diplomacy, principled, assertive and dignified.
The world must understand that Asean is not a subordinate region to be dictated upon, but a bloc capable of dialogue and moral leadership. Anwar does not attend to submit, he attends to speak truth, with grace.
Asean does not remain silent, it stands firm, united in its call for global justice. This is the true measure of high-level diplomacy: the ability to oppose without hostility, to engage without fear and to uphold truth even before those who see themselves as masters of the world. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
The author writer is a fellow of the Islamic Academy of Sciences, Jordan
