Anwar invites Trump to M'sia for regional summits in October

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has extended an official invitation to US President Donald Trump to attend the Asean-US Summit and the East Asia Summit in Kuala Lumpur in October.

The prime minister said the invitation was conveyed through US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who paid a courtesy call on Anwar today.

“Malaysia remains confident that the close cooperation with the US will not only strengthen bilateral relations, but also serve as a catalyst for stability, prosperity and peace in the Indo-Pacific region as a whole,” Anwar posted on Facebook today.

The approximately 40-minute meeting was held at the Parliament building and marked Rubio’s first trip to Asia since assuming office earlier this year.

In addition, Anwar said the meeting also paved the way for broader cooperation in the fields of digital investment, artificial intelligence (AI), defence and education.

“We exchanged views regarding pressing regional issues, including the situations in Palestine, Ukraine and Myanmar," said Anwar.

Rubio is here to attend a series of high-level meetings in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related meetings being held under Malaysia’s Asean chairship for 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 to 11.

In his opening statement during the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with the US, Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s enduring commitment to Asean, describing the regional bloc as the “preeminent mechanism” for US engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Rubio emphasised Asean’s central role in shaping the US foreign policy approach to the region, asserting that Southeast Asia cannot be sidelined amid ongoing global challenges.

“This century and the next - the story of the next 50 years will largely be written here,” he said, pointing to the region’s youth and economic potential as critical factors shaping its future growth.

Rubio also highlighted Asean’s role as a key platform for dialogue and cooperation with the United States.

“We consider it (Asean) to be sovereign, independent states with whom we have longstanding relationships and partnerships, and these are relationships and partnerships that we intend to continue to build on without seeking the approval or permission of any other actor in the region or the world,” he said.

He also reiterated the US commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in line with Washington’s national priorities.

“The US is a committed partner to Asean. It is central to the regional architecture that shapes these dynamics,” Rubio said.

He further welcomed progress in advancing the Asean-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which he said reflects decades of collaboration and shared goals.

- Bernama

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