THE streets of downtown Kuala Lumpur came alive this morning as hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Dataran Merdeka in a forceful protest against U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit for the 47th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
The rally, titled ‘Trump Not Welcome in Malaysia’, drew activists, university students, and NGO representatives, all united under the banner of solidarity with Palestine.
Clad in black as a symbol of mourning and resistance, participants held placards reading “Stop U.S. Imperialism”, “Free Palestine”, and “Tolak Trump, Dump Trump”, while chants of “Bebas Palestin” and “Trump Bloody Killer!” reverberated across the square.
Professor Mohd Nazari Ismail, chairperson of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia, addressed the crowd, calling the protest necessary to condemn U.S. support for Israel.
“The atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians would not persist if the United States did not blindly support its genocidal ally,” he said. “Fifty-eight percent of Gaza’s territory remains under Israeli military occupation.”
Among those present were Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad, Chairman of Amanah’s International Bureau, and Tian Chua, former PKR MP and long-time human rights activist.
Organisers had initially planned to hold the protest at Ampang Park, Jalan Ampang, but relocated to Dataran Merdeka following police warnings that the original site fell within 50 metres of the ASEAN Summit “red zone”, deemed unsuitable for public assembly.
Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Datuk Fadil Marsus stressed yesterday that the Ampang Park proposal was inappropriate based on intelligence assessments. “The area is not suitable,” he said.
Trump is the third U.S. president to visit Malaysia, following Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 and Barack Obama in 2014. His visit, however, has reignited controversy over U.S. policy in the Middle East.
In preparation for the summit, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) has deployed 10,170 officers in one of the largest security operations in recent history. Several major roads, including Jalan Ampang, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P Ramlee, Jalan Pinang, Persiaran KLCC, and key highways, have been closed in phases from 17 to 28 October, with tighter restrictions expected between 26 and 28 October during official events. - October 26, 2025
