September 28, 2025 | 09:09 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as the ASEAN Chair, to cancel the invitation extended to US President Donald Trump to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur at the end of October 2025.
In a video statement delivered in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, as reported by Antara, Mahathir referred to the United States under Trump's leadership as the primary instigator behind the genocide being carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
"I appeal to Anwar to revoke the invitation to Trump because he has openly enabled and supported the crimes against humanity being inflicted by Israel on the people of Palestine," Mahathir stated.
He emphasized that the decision of several European countries to recognize the independence of Palestine has sent a very clear message: the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people is no longer acceptable.
According to Mahathir, European countries, including Britain, which was once a strong US ally, have taken steps that are clearly not favored by the Trump administration. He cited the fact that "Spain and Italy have deployed their warships to the Mediterranean to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla, which also involves Malaysians working to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestine."
He added that the killing of people and children in Palestine continues, facilitated by the US and Donald Trump. This is evident from the US's use of its veto power to obstruct efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and its deliberate hindrance of humanitarian aid to Palestine.
Mahathir went on to say that in addition to being killed with bombs and other weapons, the people of Palestine are now being killed by deliberately created famine.
He called on Malaysia not to remain silent, stressing that PM Anwar's government must take a stand against the atrocities of Israel and the US. Mahathir emphasized that Malaysia's stance towards the US and Trump is a moral responsibility of the nation.
Mahathir stated that Malaysia needs to clearly show Israel and the US that, even though it is a small country, it still vehemently opposes the atrocities. He reminded the public that several Malaysian citizens involved in channeling humanitarian aid with the Global Sumud Flotilla are risking their lives in the open sea.
According to Mahathir, the US continues to provide funds, weapons, and military assistance to Israel to allow the killing of the Palestinian people to continue.
By canceling the invitation for Trump, Malaysia would send a clear message that Trump is a criminal and a child killer. "Individuals like Trump, despite being very powerful, are not accepted in Malaysia," Mahathir concluded.
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