Malaysia will discuss with Trump efforts to push for a Special UN Session on Gaza.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will make full use of its upcoming meeting with United States (US) President Donald Trump, who has confirmed his attendance at the 47th ASEAN Summit to be held this Saturday in the capital.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the face-to-face meeting will serve as an important platform to strengthen bilateral relations and expand strategic cooperation between Malaysia and the US — particularly in the areas of trade, security, and humanitarian issues related to Gaza.

In efforts to champion the Gaza issue, he said Malaysia has already been in contact with Egypt, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia to strengthen joint efforts to bring a united voice through the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

“I have been in touch with my counterparts from those countries to express Malaysia’s stance in uniting with other Islamic nations to urge for a Special United Nations (UN) Summit to be held urgently.

The goal is to obtain a UN Security Council (UNSC) mandate for the deployment of an international peacekeeping force in Gaza. This is because Malaysia cannot send peacekeeping troops without a UN mandate.

However, if such a mandate is granted, Malaysia will not hesitate to participate. At present, Malaysia still maintains its peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mission, as well as the Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT),” he said.

He was commenting on the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Trump during the 47th ASEAN Summit, which will take place from October 26 to 28.

Earlier today, Mohamad appeared as a guest on the Buletin TV3 Main Podcast at Balai Berita, Media Prima Berhad (MPB) in Bangsar.

He said it is certain that the Prime Minister will seize the opportunity to meet Trump in person to convey Malaysia’s voice on global issues.

“The meeting with Trump is also expected to focus on achieving lasting peace in Gaza. At the same time, it is an opportunity to strengthen Malaysia-US trade relations.

Even though a temporary ceasefire between Hamas and Israel has been achieved, we hope it will continue and eventually lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” he said.

He added that many uncertainties in the global economy need to be addressed by the government to strengthen Malaysia’s economic position.

“In the business world, uncertainty is never good. Therefore, when a trade agreement between Malaysia and the US is eventually signed, it will provide a comfort zone for the market and industry players,” he said.

He noted that 60 percent of Malaysia’s exports to the US consist of electrical and electronic (E&E) products, which currently enjoy zero import tariffs, and expressed hope that this privilege will continue.

“Additionally, the discussions will also touch on cooperation in the semiconductor and high-technology sectors, which are expected to be included in the upcoming trade memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Malaysia and the US,” he added.

Meanwhile, he informed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit this weekend and will instead be represented by his Deputy Prime Minister.