Khairy slams fighter jet escort for Trump’s Malaysia visit, calls it unnecessary and excessive
“Let’s remember we just witnessed a genocide that this man was partly responsible for."
SHAH ALAM – Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin has criticised the fighter jet escort accompanying US President Donald Trump’s arrival in Malaysia for the 47th Asean Summit, calling it unnecessary and over the top.
Khairy questioned the scale of the welcoming ceremony, which featured a McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Super Hornet escort and traditional performances, describing it as inappropriate given Washington’s role in the Middle East crisis.
“Let’s remember we just witnessed a genocide that this man was partly responsible for,” he said in an Instagram story, referring to Trump’s stance on the Gaza conflict.
Trump’s dance draws mixed reactions
Trump, who arrived in Malaysia on Sunday as part of his Asian tour, was seen dancing along with local performers, a gesture that quickly went viral online.
In another post, Khairy defended his understanding of diplomatic protocol, sharing a photo of himself meeting former US president Barack Obama during his 2014 visit to Malaysia.
“Before you slam me by saying, ‘What do you know about the appropriate protocol for welcoming a US president?’ Hold my Teh O’ Ais, let me show you,” he wrote.
Analyst: Warm welcome part of diplomacy
However, not everyone agreed with Khairy’s view.
Pacific Research Centre of Malaysia principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun said the reception for Trump was consistent with diplomatic norms.
“From a diplomatic standpoint, I do not see the elaborate welcome as excessive. The fighter jet escort and dance performance were symbolic gestures, not over-the-top displays,” he said.
Oh added that global outrage over Gaza was not as universal as some believed, noting that many Arab and Muslim-majority nations including Indonesia, Pakistan and even Iran had given tacit or open support to the latest US-brokered Middle East peace deal.
He said Malaysia, as a trade-dependent nation, must prioritise its economic and diplomatic relationships with the world’s largest economy.
“For Malaysia, it makes perfect sense to extend full courtesy to the leading economic power. A little dance and music in that context are hardly excessive,” he said.
‘National interest must come first’
Oh added that Malaysia’s warm reception reflected a pragmatic approach, that economic sustenance and development form the bedrock of both foreign and domestic policy.
“Malaysia’s message through such a warm reception was straightforward, our national interest must take precedence above all else.
“Whether internationally or domestically, the underlying principle remains the same: economic sustenance and development are the bedrock of our foreign and domestic policy.
“Everything else, including moral posturing, must come after ensuring that national interest is secured and advanced,” he added.
Commenting on Anwar’s participation in the dance, Oh said it reflected Malaysia’s trademark hospitality.
“As for Anwar Ibrahim’s participation in the dance, I view it as a natural, spontaneous reflection of Malaysia’s well-known hospitality.
“It was not a diplomatic blunder but rather a warm and human reaction to Trump’s own friendly demeanour during the event,” he said.
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