Dancing with Trump: Malaysia’s New Definition of Diplomacy
By Khairul Faizi bin Ahmad Kamil
When Donald Trump’s visit to Malaysia was first announced, the government insisted it wasn’t a celebration. It was, they said, a “strategic opportunity” a chance for the Prime Minister to stand firm and “speak face-to-face” with the U.S. President.
A noble idea, at least on paper.
But somewhere between the airport tarmac and the red carpet, that promise lost its footing. What was supposed to be a moment of diplomatic assertiveness turned into a full-blown welcome ceremony, cheers, wide smiles, and, unbelievably, the Malaysian Prime Minister himself dancing alongside Trump! This is what “showing firmness” looks like, then perhaps our foreign policy has evolved, from standing tall to dancing in sync.
Malaysia has long prided itself on its unwavering support for the Palestinian struggle. Ordinary Malaysians have marched in the streets, waved Palestinian flags, and spoken out against injustice. Yet now, those same citizens are watching their leader beam with pride next to a man whose administration openly embraced pro-Israel policies.
The irony is staggering.
All this is done, we are told, in the name of “diplomatic engagement.” Maybe next time, negotiations can just take place on the dance floor, it seems more “cordial,” after all.
But diplomacy isn’t about charm or camera moments. It’s about values and message. And when the message being sent to the world sounds like “we’ll set aside principles for the sake of good relations,” what does that say about who we’ve become?
If the intention was truly to speak with conviction, then a negotiation table would have been a better stage than a choreographed photo-op. Because to the people, what should have been a serious diplomatic exchange now looks more like a poorly scripted performance.
As the world watches while Palestinians continue to suffer under bombardment, Malaysia rolls out the red carpet for Trump.
Perhaps this is our new form of solidarity: not standing firm for justice, but moving gracefully in step with power.
As a Malaysian who stands with the people of Palestine and with those around the world who continue to condemn Trump and Israel’s actions, I can only say this: diplomacy without dignity is just theatre.
KFAK
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