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THE Governments invitation to US President Donald Trump to attend next month’s 47th ASEAN Summit is part of a deliberate diplomatic strategy to engage key global leaders on critical issues such as Palestine, according to Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
“Some people are asking, ‘Why invite Trump?’ Isn't he a supporter of Israel, while Gaza is being devastated? Why now?” Saifuddin said during the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly on Tuesday.
“But Malaysia holds the ASEAN Chair this year. We carry the consensus of ASEAN nations. While we may have our own national position, we speak on behalf of the region.”
He stressed that the summit presents an opportunity for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to directly represent ASEAN’s unified voice to world powers, including the United States, China, India, Russia and Brazil.
“Anwar, as Chair of ASEAN, represents a region of 680 million people with a robust and relatively stable economy. That gives us a strong diplomatic platform,” he said.
Previously, the Prime Minister dismissed criticisms over Trump’s invitation, saying Malaysia would continue to voice its firm stance on the Palestinian issue through diplomatic means, including high-level international summits.
Leaders from Europe, Asia, Canada, Africa and Latin America are also expected to attend the summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Home Minister Denies Wrongdoing in Naturalisation of Footballers After FIFA Sanctions
In a separate development, Saifuddin also addressed concerns over the recent FIFA disciplinary ruling against the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven naturalised players, stressing that all procedures for granting citizenship had followed the law.
“All applications were handled thoroughly and in accordance with Article 19(1) of the Federal Constitution. There’s no reason for concern if the process follows legal channels,” he said.
“Every step was vetted. Unless we ignored the Constitution or the law entirely, there is no reason to feel uneasy or suspect wrongdoing.”
FIFA recently found FAM guilty of submitting falsified documents to confirm the eligibility of several players for international fixtures. The players were fielded during the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Vietnam on 10 June.
The sanctioned players include Gabriel Felipe Arrocha, Facundo Tomas Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Javier Machuca, Joao Vitor Brandao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal Iraurgui and Hector Alejandro Hevel Serrano.
FAM was fined CHF350,000 (approximately RM1.8 million), while each player received a CHF2,000 (RM10,560) fine and a 12-month suspension from all football-related activities, effective from the date of the ruling. - September 30, 2025