KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 28, 2025 — Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday emphasized his direct appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump to ensure any peace deal for Gaza is "comprehensive, durable, and fair," highlighting Malaysia's unwavering commitment to Palestinian rights amid the conclusion of the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.
"I did my best to appeal to him that the Gaza peace initiative must be comprehensive, must be durable, must be fair, ultimately," Anwar told reporters at a news conference in the Malaysian capital, where he announced the summit's successful wrap-up. The event, hosted under Malaysia's 2025 chairmanship with the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," drew leaders from across the region and beyond, including Trump, whose one-day attendance on Sunday marked a rare high-profile U.S. engagement with the bloc.
Trump's visit to Kuala Lumpur on October 26 was a focal point of the summit, blending geopolitical tensions with diplomatic breakthroughs. The U.S. leader, fresh from brokering the initial phases of a U.S.-led Gaza ceasefire, participated in the joint U.S.-ASEAN summit and held bilateral talks, notably with Anwar. Addressing the gathering alongside the 10 other ASEAN heads of state, Anwar had publicly welcomed the American plan earlier, stating, "We welcome your comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict. It has given the world a glimmer of hope that even in the intractable conflicts, diplomacy and determination can prevail."
The remarks underscored a cautious optimism shared by many Southeast Asian nations, which have backed the initiative while urging a "just and durable peace." Yet, Anwar's private conversations with Trump revealed deeper Malaysian concerns. He described seizing a unique opportunity during a ride in "The Beast," the fortified presidential limousine, en route from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. "I made full use of the opportunity" to engage the two-term U.S. president, Anwar said, adding that Trump proved "a good listener in private engagements." The Malaysian leader shared his views candidly, "politely disagreeing" on key issues, including the need for equity in the deal.
Trump, in turn, inquired about ASEAN's invitations to non-traditional guests like South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, as well as Anwar's prior meetings with Hamas officials in Doha, Qatar. These exchanges, Anwar noted, allowed Malaysia to bridge regional diplomacy with the Middle East crisis, reinforcing Kuala Lumpur's role as a neutral convener.
The Gaza discussions were set against the backdrop of Trump's 20-point peace plan, unveiled on September 29, 2025, and mediated by the U.S., Qatar, Egypt, and other regional powers. The framework, hailed by Trump as a pathway to ending the two-year war, entered its first phase on October 10, following agreements signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Phase one stipulates a ceasefire, the release of all remaining Israeli hostages—estimated at around 48, including 20 believed alive—in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, and a partial Israeli withdrawal from northern Gaza. It also paves the way for Gaza's reconstruction and the establishment of a new governance structure explicitly excluding Hamas, with provisions for humanitarian aid corridors and international oversight.
Global reactions to the deal have been mixed but largely hopeful. French President Emmanuel Macron praised it on X as a step toward "decisive progress towards peace," while the United Arab Emirates urged all parties to adhere to its terms. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stressed the urgency of a full ceasefire, hostage releases, and aid delivery to prevent displacement or annexation. However, critics, including some Middle East experts, warn that unresolved questions—such as Hamas's disarmament and Israel's long-term security demands—could unravel the fragile accord, echoing the collapse of prior ceasefires in late 2023 and March 2025.
For Malaysia, a vocal supporter of Palestine with deep ties to the Muslim world, the summit provided a platform to amplify these calls. Anwar reiterated Kuala Lumpur's pledge to deploy peacekeepers to Gaza under a United Nations mandate, potentially alongside troops from Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members like Indonesia, which has committed 20,000 personnel. Speaking earlier with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the summit's sidelines, Anwar affirmed Malaysia's readiness to contribute, emphasizing that such a force would be "the best guarantee to ensure security in Gaza." Guterres welcomed the offer, noting the UN's preparedness to support peacekeeping once the ceasefire solidifies, though details remain fluid.
The Gaza war, ignited by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attacks that killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages, has since claimed over 69,236 Palestinian lives and injured more than 170,300, per Gaza Health Ministry figures as of late October 2025. Independent analyses, including a peer-reviewed Lancet study, suggest the true toll from trauma alone exceeds 70,000 by mid-2025, excluding indirect deaths from famine, disease, and infrastructure collapse—potentially pushing the total toward 93,000 by now. Children comprise nearly a third of fatalities, with over 2,500 orphans reported in September alone. The conflict, described by UN bodies and rights groups as genocidal, has displaced 90% of Gaza's 2.3 million residents and triggered famine warnings in the north.
Anwar's advocacy comes amid domestic and regional scrutiny. Protests against Trump's visit—fueled by U.S. support for Israel—drew thousands to Kuala Lumpur's streets on October 24 and 26, organized by opposition groups like Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). Critics accused Malaysia of "moral amnesia" in hosting the U.S. leader, but Anwar defended the engagement as pragmatic diplomacy. "People can shout here, curse Israel, and get angry at America, but people are dying in Gaza," he said. "This meeting gave us the chance to speak directly to Trump." On X, users echoed this, with one post noting Anwar's "protest against U.S. double standards" during the Beast ride.
Beyond Gaza, the summit yielded broader wins for ASEAN. Trump's presence facilitated a de-escalation pact between Thailand and Cambodia over border disputes, with the U.S. pledging mediation. Economic talks addressed U.S. tariffs—ranging 10-40% on ASEAN exports—and rare earth supply chains, amid escalating U.S.-China trade frictions. A landmark moment came with East Timor's formal ASEAN accession, celebrated tearfully by its delegation. Other attendees, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, underscored the bloc's growing clout, with trade to the U.S. surging to $312 billion in 2024.
Anwar framed these outcomes as proof of ASEAN's relevance in a multipolar world. "We trust that with leadership like yours, Mr. President, we will achieve a just and durable peace," he told Trump publicly, while privately pushing for Palestinian dignity. As Trump departed for Japan and a pivotal meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, analysts noted his Kuala Lumpur stop as a "spotlight moment" for ASEAN, potentially reshaping U.S. engagement in Asia.
Malaysia’s stance on Gaza, reiterated in parliament and UN forums, aligns with its historical peacekeeping legacy—having contributed to 47 UN missions since 1960. Anwar told lawmakers earlier this month that deploying troops would honor this tradition, ensuring no repeat of past violations like aid blockades ruled illegal by the International Court of Justice. With the ceasefire's first phase underway—including aid surges and prisoner swaps—the world watches if it evolves into lasting stability.
Yet, challenges loom. Hamas demands progression to phases two and three for full Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction, while Israel insists on security guarantees. UNRWA reports ongoing strikes, with one staffer killed in Zawayda on October 2 and facilities damaged in Gaza City. Over 10 million health consultations have been provided since 2023, but malnutrition claims hundreds more lives monthly.
Anwar's summit diplomacy, blending ASEAN priorities with global advocacy, positions Malaysia as a moral anchor. "As prime minister, I speak for my people—and for humanity," he concluded, vowing continued pressure for a "comprehensive" resolution that honors Palestinian aspirations. The road ahead tests whether Trump's plan delivers hope or history's next broken promise.
