By Wong Chun Wai
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, as with the rest of ASEAN members, walks a delicate path as the regional bloc has chosen to play a neutral role by not taking sides in geopolitical rivalry.
It simply means we will not side with the United States, China or Russia as we continue to maintain our independence in our foreign policy.
Malaysia and the region have to be pragmatic. Malaysia’s decision to invite US President Donald J. Trump to the 47th ASEAN Summit here next month may have raised eyebrows in some quarters, but it is the right and proper thing to do.
It is also a calculated and strategic move that deserves a fair hearing. We need to safeguard regional stability, economic growth and strategic autonomy.
Whether we like it or not, the US remains the most powerful country in the world. The reality is that Malaysia is just a small nation, even as we have started to play an important role in international diplomacy.
Trump remains a powerful figure in American and global politics. ASEAN has never been a priority on his agenda, but this is the time to win him over to see the region’s economic and strategic importance.
His decision to attend the ASEAN Summit is a win for Malaysia as the chair and a chance for ASEAN to engage with him. In fact, Trump’s visit is a golden opportunity for Malaysia and ASEAN to tell the world their narrative.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rightly said that Malaysia must remain strategic in negotiations, maintaining a firm stance in defending truth and justice while pursuing diplomacy with wisdom.
The Prime Minister said that although Malaysia is not a major power, the nation continues to command respect internationally due to its consistent stance in upholding justice and freedom of expression on the global stage.
Trump’s critics have argued that his previous foreign policy was unpredictable and erratic, with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanting the government to revoke the invitation extended to Trump to attend the summit.
The former prime minister said the US continues to supply Israel with funds, weapons and military assistance to perpetuate the killings of Palestinians.
Our stand on Palestine has been consistent, as Anwar has spoken up strongly against Israel in international forums as well as pledged financial assistance to the Palestinians.
At the same time, let us not forget that the US is the biggest export market for Malaysia, surpassing even China. The US is a top trading partner, and the relationship has nearly doubled in the last decade, peaking at USD78.3 billion in 2022.
It was also reported that bilateral trade in 2024 was strong, with total trade rising nearly 30 per cent to USD71.4 billion, according to a 2025 announcement from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
The US remains a vital trade partner, investor, and security collaborator, and the US-Malaysia relationship is a key driver of economic growth for Malaysia.
The Prime Minister noted that Malaysia’s semiconductor exports to the US alone amount to billions of ringgit, with tens of thousands of Malaysians employed in the sector, saying that “if we reject ties outright, it is the people who will suffer.”
As a trading nation, Malaysia cannot place its bets in one political camp. We need to engage with every country and world leaders. We cannot afford to alienate the US and Trump.
To put it bluntly, it will be very stupid of us to do so or to listen to Dr Mahathir’s suggestion.
Everywhere Trump goes, including even within the US, he can be expected to be greeted with protests.
We can expect protesting Malaysians to tell him to go back to the US when he is in Kuala Lumpur, and certainly, our people have the right to express their displeasure.
But he is our guest, and the Malaysian Government must accord him a grand welcome. This is Malaysian Hospitality.
Put simply, Malaysia and ASEAN have to be flexible, pragmatic and realistic. ASEAN must continue to operate on our long-standing principles of non-interference, consensus, and mutual benefit.
The ASEAN Summit is a platform for dialogue, not a place for judgments and condemnations of Trump’s policies.
Let’s use the meeting with Trump to focus on trade deals, investment flows, infrastructure development, and regional stability that will bring benefits to Malaysia and the region.
It will also be an opportunity for Malaysia and ASEAN to share with Trump directly how we feel strongly about the situation in Palestine and the genocide committed by Israel.
The Prime Minister has a heavy responsibility on his shoulders, but it is an opportunity to seal the deal on numerous issues with Trump.
The world will focus its attention on Malaysia during the summit. Let’s be the perfect host.
-- BERNAMA
* Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai is a National Journalism Laureate and the Bernama chairman
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
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