SHAH ALAM – Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has described the lavish welcome extended to United States President Donald Trump upon his arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) as inappropriate.
The Pagoh MP said the government should exercise greater caution in offering diplomatic courtesies, especially to leaders associated with supporting Israel’s oppression of the Palestinian people.
“I take seriously the overly exuberant reception given by the Prime Minister to Trump upon his arrival at KLIA yesterday.
"Such a cheerful and overly symbolic welcome raises serious questions, is Malaysia now measuring diplomatic honour based on a guest’s status rather than humanitarian principles?
“Trump did not deserve a grand reception at a time when Palestinians are being slaughtered and starved in Gaza.
“It sends the impression that Malaysia is eager to celebrate the arrival of someone complicit in supporting genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people” he said in a statement on Monday.
The former prime minister further said Trump symbolised the arrogance of US foreign policy, which has long shielded Israel’s atrocities and that Malaysians have every right to question the government’s diplomatic approach towards him.
“Welcoming such a figure with excessive enthusiasm is highly inappropriate,” he stressed.