PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has used the ASEAN platform during his dialogue with United States President Donald Trump to raise several key issues, including the situation in Gaza, says Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord, held on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits today, was witnessed by both the Prime Minister and the US President. The accord saw Thailand and Cambodia agreeing to initiate a reconciliation process.
“In his speech, the Prime Minister mentioned his discussions with President Trump. During their car journey from the Bunga Raya Complex to Kuala Lumpur, the issue of Gaza was surely among the topics raised.
“That is why we saw the Prime Minister use this platform to convey a clear message, both openly and in private,” he told reporters after officiating the closing ceremony of RIUH x ASEAN 2025 last night as reported by Bernama.
Commenting on claims that Trump’s arrival received a more lavish welcome than other leaders, Fahmi denied the allegation, noting that the arrival of Chinese President Xi Jinping in May was also celebrated with full ceremony and public participation, including schoolchildren.
“We want to show the world powers that Malaysia is a dialogue partner that pursues diplomacy in its own way,” he said.
Fahmi added that Timor-Leste’s official admission as the 11th ASEAN member marked one of the most meaningful and historic milestones of this year’s ASEAN Summit.
“After the event, I visited the International Media Centre and met Timor-Leste journalists. They were in tears, expressing their gratitude to Malaysia and the Prime Minister because, after 14 years of effort, they were finally accepted as ASEAN’s 11th member,” he said.
He added that the presence of top leaders and senior officials from the United States, China, Brazil, South Africa and Canada reflected Malaysia’s growing role as a key player in shaping major shifts in global diplomacy and in ensuring ASEAN’s goals are achieved. - October 27, 2025
