KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s meeting with United States President Donald Trump should not be viewed from the confines of domestic politics, as Malaysia-US ties cover a broader spectrum in security and economy.
In reminding opposition politicos on the bearing brought by Najib’s first meeting with Trump as top state leaders, political and international relations experts pointed out politics was inconsequential compared to the urgency in strengthening bilateral trade and resolving threats of extremism.
Prof Dr Azizuddin Mohd Sani said considering Malaysia leading role in Southeast Asia and US as a superpower, Najib’s rendezvous with Trump in Washington on Sept 12 (Tuesday in Malaysia) would have more significance as an engagement between two countries.
“The opposition is trying to turn this meeting into a political weapon to undermine Najib. But instead of confining our thoughts to local politics, we need to look at the bigger picture in terms of economic ties and regional security issues.
“Malaysia and US relations is more than just politics. In fact, politics will not be taking centre-stage in the upcoming meeting, but government-to-government policies. Our interest to participate in the US visa waiver programme is an example,” Azizuddin said today.
Apart from economy and security, Najib had also said he would raise issues on the oppressed Rohingya Muslims for Trump to look into.
However, opposition leaders DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have launched a tirade against Trump’s invitation to Najib for the meeting.
Both Dr Mahathir and Lim were reiterating their dissatisfaction over allegations related to 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
Their comments were watered down by Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak, who said Lim’s criticisms were meant to mislead attention from the ongoing Royal Commission of Inquiry’s hearing on Bank Negara Malaysia’s forex scandal during Dr Mahathir’s administration as prime minister.
Associate Professor Dr Muhammad Fuad Othman said Malaysia-US ties could be described as “special” due to longstanding cultural and economic links which transcends politics and geography.
Moreover with current fluctuating world economy, Fuad said Najib would use the meeting to firm up relations with US despite Malaysia’s significant ties to China.
“Our prime minister is putting efforts to extend the same cordial relations which we had accommodated Barack Obama’s administration with, to Trump. Najib is also working to strengthen ties with the US, despite our significant relations with China," he said.
“Issues such as bilateral trade and economic activities would be the main agenda, and of course the fight against terrorism. Hopefully, we will see immense trade and security cooperation after the meeting.”