United front: Saifuddin Nasution (centre) and other senior officials attending the launch of the book ‘Sayangi Negaraku Sederap Memaknai Madani’ at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly in Putrajaya. — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: The decision to invite US President Donald Trump to the 47th Asean Summit next month was made based on the international political context, says the Home Minister.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Trump’s presence at the summit in Kuala Lumpur should serve as a platform for Malaysia, as Asean Chair, to convey its stance directly to the US leader on the issue of Palestine.
“Outside, people debate – why invite Trump? Isn’t Trump a supporter of Israel, and isn’t Israel destroying Gaza? And now there are discussions out there from various perspectives on the invitation.
“(However) this year Malaysia is the Asean Chair, and we carry the consensus position of Asean countries although we may have our own stance (on Palestine),” he said when addressing the monthly assembly at the ministry yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will present the consensus voice of the 10 Asean member states at the summit, Bernama reported.
“So his (Trump’s) presence is in the context of international politics. The Prime Minister represents the Asean Chair. He (Anwar) is the head (chair) of a regional bloc of 680 million people with a large and robust economy, regarded as relatively stable.
“So he can speak as Asean’s voice before other world leaders, including those from the United States, China, India, Russia and Brazil,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution also said a total of 10,492 police personnel and 3,000 personnel from the Immigration Department will be deployed for the summit next month, aimed at ensuring high-level security preparedness and smooth entry procedures at all national borders.
“The preparations are in place. The Immigration Department has assured me of the thorough coordination of all arrangements,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said that six training modules have been implemented, and officers have undergone courses at the National Institute of Public Administration to enhance their readiness.
“Everything has been finalised. To ensure smooth facilitation for the delegations and world leaders attending this major event, we have also identified and designated premier entry lanes and fast-track entry points. The next step is just to ensure everything we’ve planned on paper runs smoothly in practice.”
Saifuddin Nasution added that the dual focus remains on both security operations and seamless reception procedures for arriving guests.
