Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is facing growing public pressure to reveal what transpired during his private conversation with United States President Donald Trump on the Gaza conflict, held during a 45-minute car ride following Trump’s arrival at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
The call for transparency was led by Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), whose president, Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin, said Malaysians deserve to know what Anwar conveyed to Trump and how the US leader responded. Fahmi recalled that Anwar had earlier promised ABIM that he would personally raise the Gaza issue when meeting Trump.
Anwar told reporters that during the car ride, he discussed the urgency of achieving peace in Gaza as a foundation for global stability. He said the two leaders shared a mutual aspiration for peace and that he encouraged the US to focus on facilitating it. The unusual car ride in Trump’s official vehicle, The Beast, reportedly broke security protocols but was described by Anwar as a gesture of goodwill.
However, several rights groups and activists were not convinced by the prime minister’s account. Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) Malaysia expressed disappointment over what it called a vague explanation, saying Anwar had failed to clearly articulate whether Malaysia’s firm stance against Israel and Washington’s support for it was communicated. BDS chairman Dr Nazari Ismail criticised the lack of clarity, noting that Trump’s previous policies had consistently sided with Israel while disregarding Palestinian suffering.
Nazari also questioned whether Anwar had pressed the US to stop vetoing United Nations resolutions condemning Israel’s actions, saying the public deserved to know if Malaysia’s moral position was made clear during the exchange.
Meanwhile, activist Nadir Al-Nuri viewed Anwar’s engagement with Trump as a positive first step but acknowledged that persuading Washington would take time. He emphasised that Malaysia’s close ties with Hamas and several Arab nations positioned it well to play a mediating role in the conflict.
Former PKR vice president and Sekretariat Solidariti Palestin (SSP) spokesperson Tian Chua echoed this view, urging Anwar to sustain dialogue with the US, especially since Trump has yet to condemn Israel for repeatedly violating the ceasefire agreement.
Both activists insisted that while diplomacy continues, Malaysians must keep voicing solidarity with Palestinians through protests and advocacy, ensuring that global attention on Gaza does not fade.
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