PETALING JAYA: The invitation extended to United States president Donald Trump to attend the upcoming Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur is part of the bloc’s diplomatic tradition, not a bilateral request from Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister explained that as Asean chair this year, Malaysia is responsible for inviting all dialogue partners to the summit, which will be held on Oct 27 and 28.
“Trump was not invited by Malaysia under the usual bilateral relations. He is the head of a country that is a dialogue partner of Asean.
“As Asean chair, we are obliged to invite all heads of state to attend the 46th and 47th summits.
"The 46th has concluded, and the 47th will take place later this month. The invitation is extended to all, not selectively," he said during a press conference at the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre in Sepang on Saturday (Oct 4).
He emphasised that the invitation should not be seen as a personal initiative by Malaysia but rather a collective effort on behalf of Asean.
“We cannot invite one country and exclude another - that would not be diplomatic. Our invitation is as Asean chair, not as Malaysia.
“This is an Asean gathering, not a Malaysian one. We are merely the host this year.”
In a light-hearted remark, the minister likened Malaysia’s role to that of a Datuk Lembaga (village elder) from Negri Sembilan, tasked with ensuring fairness among all “members of the community.”
“As the Asean Datuk Lembaga this year, we invite all community leaders. We cannot say one group is not invited - diplomacy doesn’t work that way,” he said.
Mohamad underscored that Asean’s strength lies in its neutrality and unity.
“Asean’s centrality is built on neutrality. That neutrality is our core strength, and Malaysia upholds it.
“Asean remains a regional organisation committed to peace, independence and neutrality. So when someone accepts our invitation, we cannot say no," he said.
