“It’s okay to break the rule,” Malaysia’s Prime Minister and ASEAN Chairman Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday, after US President Donald Trump unexpectedly invited him for a ride in the presidential limousine, known as ‘The Beast’, to the ASEAN Summit venue in Kuala Lumpur.
Anwar said he initially declined the offer, citing security protocols, but President Trump insisted on bending these rules, expressing his delight in doing so.
Anwar eventually accepted the invitation, describing the journey as “a nice ride” and a “pleasant experience.”
During their time together, the two leaders discussed various global issues, including peace efforts in Gaza.
Referring to the unexpected ride, Anwar said, after a joint declaration signing ceremony between Thailand and Cambodia, “We admire your tenacity and courage, because the world needs leaders who promote peace strongly and, to achieve that, you
sometimes have to break some rules, as you did today.”
Anwar was thanking Trump for helping with the peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia. Both leaders later held a bilateral meeting.
Trump’s visit to Malaysia marked his first to Southeast Asia since retaking office as the 47th President of the US in January.
Trump is the third US president in history to visit Malaysia, after Lyndon B Johnson in 1966 and Barack Obama in 2014 and 2015.
