All systems go: Ahmad Zahid (fourth from right) launching the Johor-level Mara Education Foundation Squad at Arena Larkin in Johor Baru. Also present were Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (fourth from left) and Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki (third from right). — Bernama
But it does not change our stance on Gaza, says Zahid
JOHOR BARU: The decision to invite US President Donald Trump to the upcoming 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur was made unanimously by all Asean leaders, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the decision was not made solely by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“It was a unanimous decision by all 10 Asean leaders to have our dialogue partners (present), and Trump is the US president.
“We usually have dialogue partners, especially the United States, Japan, China and other countries, attend the Asean Summit.
“For the 46th Summit, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries were included, and this time we will have Asean’s partners, including the United States, attending,” Ahmad Zahid told reporters after launching the state-level Yayasan Pelajaran Malaysia Skuad here yesterday.
He added, however, that the invitation to Trump does not change Malaysia’s stand on the Palestinian issue.
“It does not stop us from expressing our disagreement if there is interference from the United States over what is happening in Gaza and Palestine,” he added.
Asked if the matter will be discussed in Parliament, he said there might be a Private Member’s Bill to debate the issue.
“All are free to have differing opinions, but we must also respect the decision made by the Asean Secretariat, particularly the decision agreed upon by all 10 Asean leaders,” Ahmad Zahid said.
Besides Trump, the summit is also expected to gather leaders from China, India, Australia, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Japan and South Korea.
Meanwhile, on the upcoming Sabah state polls, Ahmad Zahid described the exit of Sabah STAR and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as a tactical move.
“As decided by Umno and Barisan Nasional’s leadership, we are only cooperating with Pakatan Harapan for the Sabah election,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is Barisan chairman and Umno president.
“Developments within the GRS coalition are beyond what we have agreed on.
“In my view, the decision by STAR and SAPP to leave GRS is a tactic to contest under their own party logo, only to reunite later if forming the state government.”
