Peace requires some rule-breaking, Anwar says after riding with Trump

Global efforts by world leaders to promote peace require occasional rule-breaking, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in recounting how he joined US President Donald Trump for an against-protocol car ride upon the latter’s arrival in Kuala Lumpur.

The prime minister shared the anecdote during his speech at the signing of a peace deal, dubbed the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, between Thailand and Cambodia, with Anwar and Trump present as witnesses.

Taking the stage after Trump invited him to speak, Anwar first thanked the president for the role he played in aiding to broker a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia before recounting the car ride.

“We admire your (Trump’s) tenacity (and) courage, because the world needs leaders who promote peace strongly, and to achieve that, you have to break some rules - as you did today.

“When the president arrived, he asked me to join him in the car. I said that’s against security protocol rules, and he was delighted to break the rules,” Anwar said to a round of light laughter from others present.

Anwar also agreed when Trump, speaking off-camera, interjected that the ride was “nice,” adding in jest: “We share lots of things in common - I was in prison, but you almost got there”.

The duo’s car moment is understood to not be the first time a Malaysian prime minister has joined a US president for a short drive, with images of Najib Abdul Razak doing the same with Barack Obama during the latter’s visit to Malaysia circulating on social media.

‘Unbecoming’ conduct

Earlier today, several quarters criticised Anwar for his supposedly “unbecoming” conduct after Trump was seen dancing on the red carpet upon his arrival in Malaysia, with the US president moving to the music in front of dancers shortly after descending from Air Force One.

Anwar, who was there alongside Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and US Ambassador Edgard D Kagan to welcome Trump, seemed delighted with the US president’s reaction.

After spending about 10 to 15 minutes greeting the people, Trump and Anwar got into "The Beast", a heavily modified and armoured Cadillac limousine that is the US president's official car.

In his speech, Anwar said that his discussion with Trump in the vehicle covered a range of issues, with the priority placed on efforts to advance global peace initiatives.

He added that he had taken the opportunity, without US State Secretary Marco Rubio’s knowledge, to raise additional matters with Trump, including expressing appreciation for Trump’s efforts to promote peace in several conflict zones, among them Gaza.

“I urged the president to remain focused and ensure there is a comprehensive peace that the world requires,” Anwar said.

He also said he was “truly delighted” to personally hear Trump’s determination to ensure that peace is achieved in some of the world’s most intractable conflicts.

“We have shown our support, and call on the US in particular to continue (such efforts) with the support of many,” Anwar affirmed.

The welcome afforded to Trump unfolded amid mounting condemnation of his arrival for the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, with many lambasting Washington’s perceived complicity in the ongoing genocide of Palestine.

Several parties, including former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had previously urged Anwar to rescind the latter’s invitation for Trump to attend the Asean summit in light of the matter.

On Oct 21, in response to widespread criticism over Trump’s visit, Anwar said he will be speaking to the US president about the situation in Gaza, among other pressing issues.

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