By Adib Zalkapli

As Malaysia prepares to host US President Donald Trump at the ASEAN Summit this month, attention should turn to the urgent task of building a free and independent State of Palestine and how Malaysia should claim a leading role in the process.

Unfortunately, the visit has drawn domestic criticism and opposition, with detractors arguing that hosting Trump appears contradictory to Malaysia’s support for Palestine.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and other opposition politicians have even asked for the invitation to be withdrawn. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whose personal ties with Palestinian liberation leaders date back decades to his days as an Islamic youth leader, has resisted domestic pressure to cancel the invitation.

Withdrawing the invitation to Trump might make for a strong headline and give some politicians or NGOs a chance to claim symbolic victory, but it would do little for the Palestinians who have long endured the consequences of war.

Leadership and tangible actions

The time for posturing has passed. What is needed now is leadership and tangible actions to restore peace in Gaza and the wider Palestinian territory while working on a long-term plan to build the foundation for an independent Palestinian state.

Trump’s visit presents an opportunity for Malaysia to claim a leading role in the president’s 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza, which includes redevelopment and withdrawal of Israeli forces from the strip.

Malaysia has expressed its support for the plan and its willingness to work with the United States in the execution of the plan and, more importantly, to see the establishment of an “independent and sovereign State of Palestine”.

But Malaysia’s role in the peace plan is not guaranteed. The plan, announced by Trump on Sept 29 has also received endorsement from various other countries. The plan could proceed with or without Malaysia’s involvement.

Cancelling Trump’s visit would definitely exclude Malaysia in the implementation of the plan, reducing its past declarations of support for the Palestinian cause to mere symbolism.

Important role of symbolism

This is not to dismiss ongoing symbolic efforts by Malaysia and its people. Symbolism plays an important role, particularly when supporting a weaker side in a prolonged conflict.

In fact, these symbolic actions have effectively drawn global attention to the Palestinian cause. Regular gatherings in the streets of Kuala Lumpur in support of the Palestinians are well documented. Some Western brands have suffered from boycotts by Malaysian consumers. Malaysian involvement in the Global Sumud Flotilla to deliver aid to Gaza has also received global media coverage.

When symbolism succeeds, the message is clear – Malaysia’s support is undeniable. Hosting Trump does not mean Malaysia is abandoning Palestine or turning a blind eye to the genocide in Gaza. Malaysia does not need another symbolic act such as refusing to host Trump to show its support for Palestine. The time has come to move beyond symbolism.

Building an independent nation damaged by decades of war will not be an easy task. It will require everything from financial support to build crucial infrastructure to ensure a dignified and quality life for the Palestinians; to legal and governance measures to give the people of Palestine the same freedoms as others in democratic systems.

Rhetoric alone will not build power generation plants and chest-thumping will not guarantee the establishment of robust democratic institutions for the State of Palestine.

There will inevitably be conflicting interests among countries and even factions within Palestine to execute the peace plan. Such disagreements could easily derail progress, dragging the process back into the familiar cycle of war between Israel and the people of Palestine, making a sustainable solution more elusive than ever.

Malaysia’s role in execution of peace plan

This is why it is crucial for Malaysia, as a long-time supporter of the Palestinian cause, to claim a seat at the table and, as much as possible, help steer the execution of the peace plan.

Withdrawing the invitation to Trump would only turn Malaysia into an inconsequential bystander in what is likely to be a long process in establishing a credible and peaceful State of Palestine.

-- BERNAMA

Adib Zalkapli is the Managing Director of Viewfinder Global Affairs, an Asia-focused geopolitical advisory firm.