PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is being urged to disclose details of his private conversation with US President Donald Trump on the ongoing Gaza crisis, reportedly held during a car ride following Trump’s arrival at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said Anwar should disclose the suggestions he conveyed to Trump, as well as the latter’s response, stressing that the public has a right to know.
“He should disclose what transpired (in the purported conversation), what he told Trump on the crisis and what was said to him. Are there plans from the US? This must be revealed as the people have every right to know,” he said.
According to Fahmi, Anwar had pledged to raise the Gaza issue with Trump during a recent meeting between ABIM and the prime minister.
“When we met the PM and we discussed the conflict, we were assured that he will personally speak to Trump on the issue when he comes for the ASEAN summit.”
Anwar yesterday told the press that he took the opportunity of sharing a car ride with Trump to raise the importance of achieving peace in Gaza as a prerequisite for global stability and the resolution of international conflicts.
Anwar said their conversation during the journey touched on various issues, particularly the need to end the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
“We discussed many things, but most importantly, we shared a common desire for peace. I urged the President to continue focusing on ensuring global peace can be achieved,” he said as reported.
Trump had invited Anwar to ride with him in his official vehicle, The Beast, from the Kompleks Bunga Raya at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) yesterday morning.
The 45-minute trip, according to Anwar, broke standard security protocols but reflected the goodwill between the two leaders.
“To achieve peace, sometimes we must go beyond protocol. When the President invited me to ride with him, I told him it was against the rules, but he was eager to make it happen,” Anwar said.
BDS unhappy with Anwar’s vague explanation
Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) Malaysia meanwhile expressed disappointment with Anwar for his unclear message to Trump regarding the conflict in Palestine.
Its chairman, Dr Nazari Ismail said there remains little clarity over what exactly the two leaders discussed during the “car ride”.
“This is not sufficient, as we already know that the Trump Peace Plan is unjust to the Palestinians.”
“Trump has only blamed Hamas and placed no responsibility on Israel. He has not called on Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza, nor has there been any pressure for Israel to withdraw from Gaza and the West Bank,” said the former academic.
Nazari also pointed out that Anwar did not mention whether he conveyed Malaysia’s firm stance in condemning the US for its role in the conflict, particularly Washington’s repeated use of its veto power to shield Israel at the United Nations.
“There is no indication that the Prime Minister urged the US to end its support for Israel,” he added.
On behalf of BDS, Nazari said the organisation remains dissatisfied with Anwar’s explanation and maintains that the decision to invite Trump to Malaysia was a mistake.
It is an ongoing process - activists say
Activist Nadir Al-Nuri, however, said Anwar is on the right track in his efforts to persuade Trump on the Gaza issue, while acknowledging that the process may take time.
He hoped that Malaysia would be given the opportunity to be one of the mediators in this conflict due to the country’s strong ties with Hamas including with the majority of the Arab countries.
“The process will definitely take time. If not Trump, maybe we can have access to his administrators so we can somehow collaborate in finding the best possible way to get peace in Palestine.”
“We have a better position than our neighbouring countries in terms of our closeness with Hamas and Arab leaders,” he said.
Meanwhile, he acknowledged that the people should continue to speak up on the issues of Gaza, leaving the diplomatic process to be dealt with by the government.
“The masses should stay focused on demonstration, protest and support whether online or on the streets. We cannot let the issue go silent. The government needs to do what they need to do,” he added.
Long time supporter and former party vice president Tian Chua mirrored Nadir’s sentiment.
The spokesperson for Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin (SSP) said Anwar must continue to engage with the US on this particular issue as Trump has not made a single condemnation against Israel for violating the ceasefire agreement.
“The conversation cannot be a one-off thing. It has to continue especially when Trump has yet to denounce Israel for continuing to kill innocent people in Palestine even after a ceasefire deal was reached.”
“This is the double standard Trump is showing, and Anwar has to continue to speak up. He may have his own way of doing things and we will leave that to him,” he said.
Tian Chua added that civil society groups will continue to protest against Israel’s genocidal campaign against Palestinians.
Multiple reports say Israel has committed dozens of violations since the truce took effect. There were at least 47 ceasefire breaches, resulting in 38 Palestinians killed and over 140 injured.
Medical teams examining returned Palestinian bodies have reported signs of torture and execution, in what human rights observers describe as deliberate acts of cruelty and defiance of international law. – October 27, 2025
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