Former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim has taken a sharp dig at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to host former US President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur during the upcoming ASEAN Summit, questioning both the rationale and the consequences of the move.
In a post expressing disapproval of the government’s handling of the summit preparations, Zaid argued that the lockdown of central Kuala Lumpur would come at a heavy cost to businesses, students, and daily commuters. He pointed out that the area serves as the capital’s main commercial hub and is home to thousands of students who are now forced to attend classes online during a crucial exam period.
Zaid wondered why the event could not have been shifted to Putrajaya instead, saying the administrative capital had been purpose-built for such high-level gatherings. He also recalled that a previous ASEAN Summit, hosted during Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s administration, had been successfully held in Putrajaya without major disruption to the public.
He further questioned Anwar’s motivations for insisting on Kuala Lumpur, suggesting that the Prime Minister might have hoped to impress Trump with the city’s skyline. However, Zaid said that such efforts would likely be wasted on Trump, whom he described as someone more interested in business deals than city aesthetics. He quipped that Trump would be far more impressed if the Malaysian leader offered him land for a Trump Tower or golf course, hinting that Anwar might learn from Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s pragmatic approach to engaging with the former US leader.
Zaid also highlighted what he saw as a contradiction in Anwar’s approach to public welfare, recalling that the Prime Minister had once opposed strict lockdowns under former premier Muhyiddin Yassin during the Covid-19 pandemic, citing the people’s hardships. Yet now, he argued, Anwar was imposing unnecessary restrictions for a diplomatic event that could easily be held elsewhere.
The former minister concluded by expressing bewilderment at Anwar’s decision, saying it was difficult to understand what political or diplomatic gains justified the inconvenience and economic loss being caused to Malaysians.
Zaid’s remarks reflect growing public debate over the government’s decision to host Trump in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, with questions mounting over whether the move prioritizes prestige over practicality.
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