As anti-Israel sentiment grips KL, prominent thinker gives Anwar 3 reasons to 'politely disinvite' Trump

Prominent thinker and activist Chandra Muzaffar has joined a growing number of voices urging Anwar Ibrahim to rescind the invitation to Donald Trump for the forthcoming Asean Summit, saying there are valid reasons for the prime minister to send a polite note disinviting the US president.

This comes as protests against the US and Israel continue in Kuala Lumpur on an almost daily basis, fuelled not only by anger over the arrest of Malaysian participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla, but also by Anwar's plan to extend the red carpet to Trump later this month.

In recent days, the government has embarked on a media campaign, with ruling politicians, business groups and even government-linked religious spokesmen seeking to justify the invitation to the staunchly pro-Israel US president.

Government supporters claim that Trump's presence cannot be avoided due to Washington's role as a dialogue partner in Asean, the bloc currently chaired by Malaysia.

Chandra, one of the key architects of Anwar's reformasi movement and head of the International Movement for a Just World, which has for decades campaigned for solidarity against Israel, acknowledged the "difficult situation" the prime minister faces.

"Nonetheless, President Trump has been so deeply immersed in the on-going genocide of the Palestinian people that any positve gesture towards him, however symbolic, would be viewed with utter repugnance by a huge segment of the Malaysian nation," he told MalaysiaNow.

Chandra listed three reasons why the widespread opposition to Trump's visit is justified, the foremost being US complicity through its military, financial and diplomatic support for Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza.

He said that under Trump, Washington, alongside Israel, has become the principal author of the "brutal, barbaric massacre since early October 2023".

"To put it differently, without Trump's involvement, there would have been no genocide. It is significant that of the 66,000 lives lost, 20,000 have been children.

"Should Malaysia play host to such a human being with such a cruel and callous record?" he asked.

Chandra said Trump had never publicly admonished the Israeli government or Benjamin Netanyahu for its atrocities against Palestinians.

"A leader with so little compassion should not be welcomed anywhere in the world!" he said.

Chandra said that apart from these two reasons, Trump also stands out as the only president in recent times who "appears to be totally ignorant of the Palestinian struggle for justice".

"He has no notion of their deep link to their ancestral land, of their culture that predates the arrival of Judaism, Christianity and Islam to the region, of how Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities interacted with one another in the past, and how a distinct Palestinian identity evolved over time.

"Why should Kuala Lumpur, why should Asean, embrace such an ignorant leader who at the same time doesn't even have an iota of empathy for the Palestinian cause?

"For all these and numerous other reasons, we urge Anwar to send Trump a polite and dignified letter of disinvitation to the Asean Summit," he added.

The government has repeatedly defended its invitation to Trump despite growing opposition from leading activists and pro-Palestine supporters.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Trump was not invited by Malaysia in the context of bilateral ties.

"He is the head of a country that is a dialogue partner of Asean. As Asean chair, we are obliged to invite all heads of state to attend the 46th and 47th summits," said Mohamad.

The argument was rejected by prominent lawyer Rafique Rashid, who said the Asean principle is about defending sovereignty, independence and the right to resist colonialists.

"If that is Malaysia and that is Asean, reject Trump's presence in Malaysia," he told a rally in support of Palestine yesterday.

Rafique also warned of a media campaign in the coming days to promote the narrative that Trump is being hosted by Asean, amid a series of anti-Trump and anti-Israel protests that have gripped Kuala Lumpur since last week.

"In a day or two, the media and government propaganda will once again say that the invitation is extended in the spirit of Asean," he added.

Last week, Federal Territories mufti Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil came under fire from Muslims and pro-Palestinian supporters after his attempt to justify Anwar's red carpet welcome for Trump.

Fauwaz accused those opposed to Trump's presence of being clouded by "emotions and radical sentiments", adding that Muslims should welcome him in line with the Islamic shariah's goal of preserving peace.

The statement drew immediate condemnation from a Muslim intellectual group.

"There is no greater betrayal to the Palestinian cause than to welcome in our land the greatest ally of their oppressors," said Islamic Renaissance Front director Dr Ahmad Farouk Musa, who described Trump as a "devilish figure" and the greatest ally of Israel.