Anwar insists he pressed Trump on Gaza, not just pleasantries

Facing criticism over Putrajaya’s seemingly cordial ties with Washington, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim insisted he had confronted US President Donald Trump over the Gaza war.

Addressing a press conference today, Anwar said he made full use of his one-on-one meeting with Trump during their ride together from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre for the Asean Summit to push for a “comprehensive, fair, and lasting” peace deal that respects Palestinian rights.

“I said that while I do support his (Trump’s) efforts - and no one can dispute the fact that he was quite determined to ensure there is peace in Gaza (and a) stop to continued killings - but, I said, if you talk about lasting and durable peace, then it must be comprehensive. 

“He answered that (the matter) is in the first phase and they’re working on it,” Anwar said. 

Earlier, opposition leaders and allies had criticised what they described as the government’s excessive reception for Trump’s arrival in Malaysia on Oct 26, with PAS calling it “akin to pouring salt on the still-bleeding wounds of Gazans”.

Noting that the US president was a “very attentive and good listener”, Anwar added today that he had explained his previous discussions with Hamas leaders once he was made aware that Trump knew of the meeting.

‘This is diplomacy… What did you expect me to do?’

He also said he did not allow himself to be “dazzled” by his ride in “The Beast”, a heavily modified and armoured Cadillac limousine that is the US president’s official car, and instead conveyed his views to Trump.

“This is diplomacy - not everything has to be shouted in public. What’s important is that you’ve entrusted me as your spokesperson, and I spoke to defend the rights of the Palestinian people and Gaza.

“What did you expect me to do? I think I did my best to represent the voice of conscience (and) what Malaysians want us to do,” the prime minister said, stressing that he had similarly “done his best” to appeal to Trump and other US representatives during the formal bilateral US-Malaysia meeting.

Responding to brickbats from certain quarters disputing his talks with Trump, Anwar ridiculed notions that Malaysia had “given in” to the US, asserting that Washington’s intervention had ensured a halt in attacks in Gaza.

“Don’t forget - we can shout all we want here, but people are dying (and) being bombed in Gaza… this was our opportunity to meet. Now, at least with America’s intervention, the attacks have stopped, and the conquest of the West Bank has been prohibited. 

“Has (the peace plan) succeeded completely? No, but at least the attacks and killings have been stopped,” he said.

The ceasefire in Gaza is at the moment tenuous. Both Israel and Hamas have been reported as continuing attacks, while both sides persistently accuse each other of breaching the truce.

Condemning those attempting to politicise the matter, Anwar affirmed that those complaining about his alleged lack of firmness should ask themselves: “Who else dares to speak in front of Trump?”

“Every time I meet (Trump), I say: thank you for the initial resolution, but make sure the solution is complete, give due respect to the people, make sure this never happens again. Why do we do this? Because I’m the prime minister of Malaysia.”

In response to claims that Malaysia and Asean as a whole are intimidated by the US, Anwar pointed to the signing of a vital trade agreement with China earlier today as evidence proving the contrary. 

“We signed the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement 3.0 upgrade… if we were afraid of the US, it would have been impossible to sign (the deal) with China the day after Trump’s departure,” he said.

Critics previously argued that the Malaysia-US trade agreement, signed by Anwar and Trump on Sunday, comes at the expense of Malaysia’s trade with other countries - especially China.

Economists, however, opined that the deal does not mark a shift away from China, but will test Malaysia’s balancing act as it navigates stipulations under Article 5.1, which requires “complementary actions” to US trade curbs.

On a separate matter, Anwar also targeted those lambasting him - including religiously learned individuals - for seemingly kissing the cheek of Louise Araneta-Marcos, wife of Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

“Yes, she held me (by the shoulders)... but, we did not touch,” the prime minister said, attributing misleading visuals to camera angles.

“How can religious people be like that? Without knowing the facts, they straightaway passed judgment and labelled me a hypocrite, saying it’s sinful. You can’t do that,” Anwar added. 

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