Risky for Anwar to seek a meeting with Trump

Malaysiakini

26-05-2025

YOURSAY | 'Trump might ambush Anwar like he did with Zelenskyy.'
Anwar writes to Trump to request US-Asean meeting
Anonymous_3f4b: When and why did Mr Madani (Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim) write to US President Donald Trump? As though Trump would read his letter.
For all you know, the letter would have been dumped into the wastepaper basket even without Trump knowing it, at worst, or left to his many secretaries and officials to vet even before putting it on his desk.
Mr Madani, as prime minister of this year's Asean chair, should and could have made a direct line phone/video call to Trump like his Asean counterparts Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and the like. Did he even congratulate Trump on the latter's win?
By not doing so, he has not shown respect and diplomatic decorum to Trump, and likewise, we should not expect favours or diplomatic considerations from the Trump administration.
But then Trump would have chastised him and given Mr Madani a piece of his mind.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Unlikely that Trump will accord a US-Asean meeting soon, and if so, he would send one of his many secretaries or officials to do the talking to Mr Madani as head of the Asean chair. Another head would have been better suited to expedite the talks.
Pink: Trump does not like to deal with trade blocs; he prefers to have bilateral trade negotiations between individual countries because he will have better negotiating power. This is the reason why he is belligerent towards the European Union. So, this is bound to fail.
I fear Trump will insult Anwar the way he insulted Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, by showing a fake video claiming there is a genocide of white people in South Africa.
What if he raised the issue of racial and religious discrimination in Malaysia in front of all the cameras for the world to see, even though it is far from the truth? That will damage Malaysia's reputation as a moderate, liberal country. He may also likely claim that Anwar's support of Hamas is anti-semitic.
It is a risky proposition. Anwar may be highly regarded and respected by all at home. But to Trump, he is just the leader of a small, underdeveloped country.
Just a Malaysian: It's just a formality. How do you negotiate with a 'madman' who is hell-bent on bullying his way through? He who believes power will get everything their way?
It is much like our citizens who love to shout down at all minorities' concerns. Who refused to listen to different opinions and ideas, where 'my way' is the only way, or else?
Now we are faced with a real bully, while our local bullies are all quiet as mice. Isn't this the time to defend race and religion? For real this time, not the wayang, chest-thumping performance at people who cannot fight back.
TaaS: It used to be protests and boycotts (towards America). Now, it is like begging (to meet their president).
How can the village leader possibly lead Asean when he has shown poor leadership for his country and a bad example for his party?
Do you think Trump would be particularly concerned about meeting with a group of Asean countries, many of which have recorded among the highest trade deficits with the US, and making concessions?
Do you think Malaysia and others can get away without removing non-tariff barriers?
BesamanMucho: Did you also mention in the letter that:
1. Malaysia is a 'fiercely independent nation';
2. I have written to the United Nations to sack Israel from the world body;
3. I have met the leaders of Hamas; I have met now deceased Hamas leaders such as Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Hassan Nasrallah;
4. I have contributed RM100 million of our people's money to Gaza;
5. I give free education to Palestinian children, while the same may not be available to other local minorities.
'Based on the above achievements, it is only right that you meet me soonest.'
Apanama is back: I prefer Trump to come over (to Malaysia) for the Asean meeting. Why? So that he can ambush Anwar (on several issues).
So far, Trump had ambushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (ongoing war with Russia) and Ramaphosa (over white farmers and land reforms) in the Oval Office.
US President Donald Trump (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Therefore, Trump needs to give Anwar a 'tight slap' in front of the Asean leaders by ambushing him, playing the videos, showing proof that Anwar is supporting Hamas, as the US will not be happy with his behaviour.
Trump accepts the invitation and ambushes Anwar. Just do this favour for me.
Hmmmmmmmm: Trump is willing to let his own most prestigious university in the world sink because of some of their students' pro-Palestine protests.
What do you think he will do to someone who openly supports Hamas and even supports protests against the US, boycotts US franchises, and lets school children mimic Hamas in schools?
When you are only a small fry, don't try to be a hero. Look after your own backyard first. If you want to support Hamas, do it quietly and don't drag the country down with you.
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