PM Anwar defends Trump’s airport reception, stating it matched China’s Xi Jinping protocol
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has firmly defended the protocol arrangements for US President Donald Trump’s arrival in Malaysia last Sunday, dismissing opposition criticism as politically motivated and factually incorrect.
Speaking before the Dewan Rakyat, the Prime Minister clarified that Trump received standard diplomatic protocol rather than full state honors, emphasizing that the reception was identical to what was extended to Chinese President Xi Jinping during his April visit.
Anwar emphasised the distinction between different levels of diplomatic welcome, noting that Trump’s arrival ceremony was confined to airport formalities without the elaborate multi-venue arrangements reserved for certain other world leaders.
“The reception for President Trump mirrored what we provided for President Xi. There were no additional ceremonial events at Seri Perdana or the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre,” the Prime Minister stated in Parliament.
He drew comparisons with visits by Brazilian and South African leaders, who received significantly more extensive welcome programs featuring three separate ceremonies at different locations, including airport arrivals, cultural performances with schoolchildren, and events at KLCC.
The Prime Minister expressed disappointment that critics focused exclusively on the cultural performance at the airport while ignoring the substantive achievements of the bilateral discussions between the two nations.
Anwar particularly highlighted his disappointment that opposition members failed to acknowledge his government’s firm stance during discussions with Trump regarding the ongoing Gaza conflict.
“Not a single word of appreciation has been offered for standing firm in defending Malaysia’s right to uphold the principle of centrality,” Anwar remarked, referring to his position on the Gaza situation during the meetings with the US president.
Opposition party PAS had questioned whether the government’s welcome was appropriately measured, suggesting the reception was excessive given the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The party argued that the “red carpet treatment” sent mixed signals about Malaysia’s foreign policy priorities.
Upon arriving on Air Force One, Trump was received by Anwar and senior Malaysian government officials.
The American leader displayed a relaxed demeanor, briefly joining local cultural performers in dance movements and simultaneously waving both Malaysian and American flags in a gesture of bilateral friendship.
The scene at the airport included traditional cultural elements designed to showcase Malaysian hospitality while maintaining diplomatic decorum appropriate for a presidential visit.
