TOMES could be written about the most significant diplomatic event in Malaysia’s history so far: it may literally be another generation before we see such a large gathering of leaders in Kuala Lumpur.
In the last seven days, arrivals and departures at the KL International Airport included all Asean heads of state or government (with the exception of Myanmar, which sent its Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and, in the case of the new member, both its President and Prime Minister); the Presidents of Brazil, South Africa, South Korea and the United States (with India’s participating remotely); the Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand; the Premier of China; the President of the European Council, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, among other high-level representatives from other nations and institutions.
By now we have all seen the highlight reels. Several are to do with President Donald Trump: his dance upon arrival, his invitation to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to join him in the presidential car (“The Beast”), PMX’s joke about the two of them almost sharing having prison in common, and Trump’s take on Anwar’s signature.
There was praise from foreign journalists for the facilities provided, although criticism was rightly levelled at RTM for getting some names spectacularly wrong.
More broadly, the cultural fraternity was ecstatic about the avalanche of performing opportunities, with singers, musicians and dancers being fully booked, giving further jobs to stage designers and AV technicians. Obviously it was a boon for the hospitality industry as well.
Meanwhile, millions in Klang Valley were told to work from home as police officers from other states were ferried in to help control traffic, escort dignitaries, and contain protests.
Those protests were entirely justified, but so was our hosting of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits.
Given the overwhelming balance of comments on traditional and social media emerging from near and far, Malaysia has undeniably ended up looking good.
It has even resulted in domestic pressure in other countries to do better: “If Malaysia can do this, so should we!” – while Americans gushed over our highways.
Contrasts were drawn regarding our approach to welcoming foreign dignitaries: we extend warmth without descending into servitude, and we express enthusiasm without veering into bravado. However, while it is clear that all leaders received an honour guard, I remain uncertain about the extent of the dancing that was offered.
The events I attended over the week were the Asean Inclusive Growth Summit, the Asean Business Investment Summit, the Asean-Indo-Pacific Forum, the Asean Summit 2025 Gala Dinner, the Malaysia-Brazil Business Summit, the Asean Development Exchange Spotlight with former Philippine president Gloria Arroyo, and two events hosted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for the two Portuguese-speaking heads of state: the Conferment of an Honorary Doctorate on Brazil’s President Lula and the 7th Chancellor’s Lecture delivered by Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao, preceded by a royal dinner, all in the presence of the university’s Chancellor, Tuanku Muhriz.
The interactions with Brazil were particularly pleasant. Coincidentally, the university of which I’m chancellor had signed a collaboration agreement with a Brazilian biotech firm, so Lula and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof were able to celebrate that – alongside the president’s 80th birthday.
I did not think that a year after tinkling the music of “bossa nova king” Antônio Carlos Jobim on the piano in the Itamaraty (home of Brazil’s Foreign Ministry), I would be meeting the country’s president in Malaysia!
But for most, the strongest emotions were elicited by two other things.
The first was the signing of the agreement between the United States and Malaysia on Reciprocal Trade, condemned as being one-sided, neocolonial in its language, and a shameful surrender of our sovereignty.
Its supporters highlight the wider context of the deal, pointing out the favourable treatment we’re getting and the damage it would cause to our workers and economy if we didn’t defend ourselves with it.
A chance meeting with senior judges revealed concerns that some provisions of the agreement might contravene our Federal Constitution. If this is the case, the government cannot invoke the trade agreement as a shield. Undoubtedly, this raises an intriguing legal question.
A more positive and wholesome reaction was to the accession of Timor-Leste as the 11th member of Asean: a hugely significant moment for the country, affirming its status as a peaceful, stable country aspiring to be an ever- prosperous democracy.
I could not help but marvel at how membership of Asean – so often derided as useless and superficial – served as such an inspiration while listening to the prime minister, who has become another hit on social media with his humour and generosity, at UKM. I’m certainly excited to visit Timor-Leste capital Dili soon!
Crucially, I hope such a hopeful accession inspires other Asean countries – including one that is particularly less peaceful, less united and less democratic – to do better too.
Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin is the founding president of the Institute for Democracy and Economics Affairs (Ideas). The views expressed here are the writer’s own.
