MELAKA: The attendance of US President Donald Trump at the upcoming 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur is an opportunity to strengthen Malaysia’s fiscal growth and expand trade prospects, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, also the PKR president, stated that critics who called the invitation inappropriate did not grasp the broader goal of involving world leaders.
"Naysayers are saying it is haram (forbidden) to invite Trump without knowing my purpose.
"We can also bring up the Gaza issue to him too,” he said after launching the 27th Anniversary of Reformasi and Melaka PKR office at Taman Pandan Mawar here on Saturday (Sept 27).
Also present was Melaka PKR chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
The 47th Asean Summit, set for Oct 26 to 28, was anticipated to gather regional leaders and international partners.
Anwar said that similar criticisms arose when he invited China’s President Xi Jinping, and even inviting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was an issue for some.
“These countries have their own ways of governance and domestic issues, and ours are different, but inviting them does not mean we agree with them.
"This is for commercial purposes,” he explained.
Anwar reiterated his commitment to serve all Malaysians regardless of religion, stressing that constitutional rights would always be honoured.
“Every citizen has rights, regardless of their faith.
"To the critics, I just want to say, don't be envious of the Madani administration,” he said.
Anwar also emphasised that the Madani government would not allow racial issues to be turned into political capital, and hatred would only weaken the nation.
