Whatever Happens to Sumud Flotilla, the People’s Movement to Free Palestine Will Not Cease
October 1, 2025TRUMP’S VISIT TO MALAYSIA FOR ASEAN–US SUMMIT: PEOPLE’S RESENTMENTS MUST BE RESPECTED IN LIGHT OF HIS COMPLICITY WITH ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE
October 1, 2025Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organizations) – MAPIM
Space U8 , Eco Mall , Bukit Jelutong , Shah Alam , Selangor Malaysia
azmiabdulhamid58@gmail.com
………………………………………
TRUMP’S COMING TO MALAYSIA FOR ASEAN–US SUMMIT:
WHY PEOPLE’S RESENTMENTS SHOULD BE RESPECTED – PROS AND CONS VIS-À-VIS THE COMPLICITY WITH ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE
2 Oktober 2025
Introduction
The announcement that former US President Donald Trump will attend the upcoming ASEAN–US Summit in Malaysia has triggered sharp reactions from civil society and grassroots communities. While government leaders may emphasize diplomacy, trade, and strategic ties, the wider public remembers Trump’s record of complicity in Israel’s genocidal policies against Palestinians. The people’s resentment must not be dismissed as mere sentiment; it reflects legitimate moral and political concerns.
Why People Are Resentful
- Trump’s Role in Enabling Israel’s Crimes
Trump’s presidency was marked by unconditional support for Israel. His recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the legitimization of illegal settlements, and his “Deal of the Century” effectively endorsed Israeli apartheid.
His recent “20-Point Gaza Peace Proposal” is viewed as an attempt to whitewash Israel’s genocide under the guise of reconstruction and stability, while denying Palestinian sovereignty.
- Moral Outrage Against Genocide
The ongoing destruction of Gaza has been described by multiple UN experts as a genocide. Trump’s open backing of Israel places him squarely on the side of perpetrators.
For Malaysians, who have historically stood in solidarity with Palestine, Trump’s presence is a painful reminder of the hypocrisy of global powers.
- Civil Society’s Demand for Accountability
Malaysian NGOs and Islamic movements argue that hosting Trump without addressing his complicity in Israel’s crimes sends the wrong signal: that genocide can be ignored in the name of geopolitics.
Popular resentment, therefore, stems from a demand for justice and moral consistency.
The Case for Engagement (Pros)
- Diplomatic Necessity
● The ASEAN–US Summit is a multilateral platform. Malaysia, as host, must maintain diplomatic openness to all partners, including the US.
● Dialogue with Trump provides an opportunity to confront him directly about US complicity in genocide and demand policy shifts.
- Strategic Leverage
Engaging the US, even under Trump, allows ASEAN states to balance major power rivalries between China, Russia, and the West.
Malaysia can use the summit to highlight Palestine’s plight on a global stage, forcing the issue into high-level conversations.
The Case Against Engagement (Cons)
- Legitimizing a Complicit Actor
● Welcoming Trump without conditions risks normalizing his role in enabling genocide. It undermines Malaysia’s moral leadership on Palestine.
● It may appear as though Malaysia prioritizes trade and geopolitics over justice and humanity.
- Undermining People’s Voice
● Popular resentment, if ignored, creates a democratic deficit where citizens feel their moral concerns are secondary to elite diplomacy.
● This risks sparking protests, weakening national unity, and damaging Malaysia’s credibility in the Muslim world.
- Symbolic Contradictions
Hosting Trump while condemning Israel at the same time creates a contradiction. Symbolically, it tarnishes Malaysia’s consistent pro-Palestine stance.
Conclusion: Respecting the People’s Resentment
Malaysia must navigate between the realpolitik of diplomacy and the moral imperative of justice. Hosting Trump for the ASEAN–US Summit cannot be business as usual. The government must:
■ Publicly acknowledge the people’s resentment as legitimate.
■ Make Palestine a central agenda item during the summit.
■ Confront Trump directly with Malaysia’s opposition to genocide.
■ Ensure that hosting him does not equal endorsing his past complicity with Israel.
■ Respecting public resentment is not weakness—it is democracy. For Malaysia, whose identity is deeply tied to justice for Palestine, balancing diplomacy with moral courage is essential.
Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid
President MAPIM
