Anwar congratulates Trump on 'comeback', raises Palestine, Ukraine

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated Republican candidate Donald Trump for winning the United States presidential election and raised the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

In a social media post, the Pakatan Harapan chairperson, who waited more than two decades to become prime minister after his unceremonious exit from the corridors of power, described Trump’s victory as a “remarkable political comeback”.

Anwar, who has been a staunch critic of US support for Israel in the ongoing Middle East conflict, also expressed hope that the incoming president would open a “new chapter of renewed opportunities” for both nations.

“We’re ready to move forward with optimism, collaboration and shared purpose,” added the prime minister, who is on an official visit to China.

Anwar pointed out that the US remains Malaysia’s largest source of foreign investment and a vital player in the Asia-Pacific region.

“As Asean chair in 2025, Malaysia hopes that America will reinvigorate its engagement with Southeast Asia. We also urge the US to use its considerable influence to help end the devastating violence and loss of life in Palestine and Ukraine.

“We look forward to working closely with the incoming president to foster mutual benefits for the people of both our nations,” he added.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also welcomed Trump’s return to power.

“Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback! Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.

“This is a huge victory!” said Netanyahu in a statement issued by his office.

Ties with Russia

In September, Anwar visited Moscow, where he held a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Last week, the prime minister said he had rejected a US top diplomat’s call to stop being friendly with Russia.

“I replied, ‘That’s your issue; don’t instruct us. We are an independent, sovereign country; we make decisions for our people and our nation’,” he told a meeting with students in Kuala Lumpur.

According to Anwar, this was conveyed during a meeting with US secretary of state Antony Blinken last month at the Asean Summit in Laos.

CNN reported that Putin does not intend to congratulate Trump.

“Let’s not forget that we are talking about an unfriendly country that is both directly and indirectly involved in the war against our state.

“There is still some waiting to do, considering that the current US president will remain in office for almost another month and a half,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

Whereas the Iranian government, which had warned the US and Israel of a “crushing response” to the recent attacks, said there is “no significant difference” in who becomes the US president.

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