KUALA LUMPUR: US President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia on Sunday to attend the 47th Asean Summit here.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, who is also the Madani government’s spokesman, said the president’s attendance was confirmed at last Friday’s Cabinet meeting.
“Confirmed – Donald Trump will arrive in Malaysia on Oct 26. The Foreign Ministry will announce any changes,” he said at a press conference after inspecting preparations at the International Media Centre and International Broadcast Centre for the 47th Asean Summit at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday.
Fahmi, however, declined to provide further details on Trump’s first visit to Kuala Lumpur since assuming the presidency for a second term in January this year.
On Monday, Trump reportedly mentioned for the first time publicly plans to visit Malaysia in the near future but provided no further details.
The 47th Asean Summit, themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, will be held from Oct 26 to 28, with participation from leaders of the 10 Asean member states and key dialogue partners including the US, China, Japan and India.
On a separate matter, Fahmi said road closures for the 47th Asean Summit will be implemented in phases.
He said these steps will only be taken during certain hours of the day.
“Generally, the affected roads will be closed in stages and only at certain periods.
“In areas around the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, however, there will be limited access especially on Sunday.
“This is to facilitate delegates travelling to the venue.”
Television broadcasters, radio stations and news agencies have also been requested to relay this information continuously to the public, said Fahmi.
He also advised the public to always stay updated with information from the police.
More than 290 media agencies will be covering the 47th Asean Summit.
Some 1,277 foreign media personnel have also registered, he said.
He said Japanese media representatives made up the largest group with 314 personnel, followed by those from the United States (181) and South Korea (101)
The Philippines, he said, is also sending a large delegation owing to the country being the Asean chairman following the summit.
Meanwhile, police escort dry runs are in full force at roads surrounding KLCC, with motorcades seen practising their routes leading towards the centre.
Security screenings have also been tightened at walkways heading into the convention centre, with a heavy police presence all round.
More than 10,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed throughout the Summit, which also marks the culmination of Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship.
A number of world leaders are expected to attend including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, among others.
Leaders from the region – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Myanmar's permanent secretary to the Foreign Affairs Ministry Aung Kyaw Moe, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Laotian Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Jose Alexandre Gusmao – will also be present.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had previously stated that the 47th Asean Summit and its related summits are expected to be among the largest in the history of the regional bloc.
