PETALING JAYA – The invitation extended to US President Donald Trump for the upcoming 47th ASEAN Summit is part of Malaysia’s responsibility as ASEAN Chair, and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any leader’s policies, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Senior Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, Tunku Nashrul Tunku Abaidah, emphasized that Malaysia, as chair, is entrusted with ensuring the participation of all dialogue partners. The country must use this platform to demonstrate leadership and diplomacy on the global stage.
“Rejecting Trump’s attendance is not the solution. True diplomacy is about engaging and speaking the truth directly, not avoiding uncomfortable conversations,” Tunku Nashrul said during a PMO briefing in Putrajaya today.
At the same time, Malaysia remains unwavering in its support for Palestine. The PMO highlighted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s consistent condemnation of Israeli aggression and his prominent voice defending Gaza internationally.
The briefing also outlined Malaysia’s broader priorities as ASEAN Chair, including strengthening economic cooperation, attracting strategic investments, boosting trade, and advancing regional integration.
“ASEAN must speak with one voice and collaborate with all partners – not only the US, but also China, Japan, Korea, Australia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),” Tunku Nashrul added.
The 47th ASEAN Summit will be hosted in Kuala Lumpur this October, marking Malaysia’s final tenure as chair before handing over the role to the Philippines.
On the humanitarian front, the PMO highlighted Anwar’s patronage of Sumud Nusantara, a Malaysian initiative providing aid to Gaza. The Prime Minister is closely monitoring local activists operating in high-risk areas while advocating for open humanitarian corridors.
“The courage of these individuals reflects the compassion of Malaysians for the suffering in Gaza,” Tunku Nashrul said, humanizing the global responsibility Malaysia is taking on.
In domestic news, starting today, all 16 million eligible Malaysians can purchase RON95 petrol at RM1.99 per litre, down from the unsubsidised price of RM2.60 per litre. Since its initial launch for members of the Armed Forces, police, and Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) recipients, over 912,000 Malaysians have redeemed Budi95 benefits, amounting to 21.8 million litres of subsidised fuel worth RM43.7 million.
Each eligible individual is entitled to 300 litres per month, translating to a subsidy of up to RM183. The government is also exploring ways to extend subsidies to e-hailing drivers and boat operators in Sabah and Sarawak.
“The Madani government is committed to strengthening this policy to ease the burden on the people,” Tunku Nashrul added, highlighting the administration’s continued focus on both global leadership and citizen welfare.
