The Bera MP said that Malaysia, as Asean chair, was bound by the principles of the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality, a 1971 declaration signed by the five founding Asean countries to promote peace and autonomy in the region by keeping it free from external interference.
In a Sinar Harian report, Ismail said that Asean had an important role in maintaining balanced ties with global powers such as the US and China, particularly in economic cooperation.
“I believe the current government’s leadership knows what needs to be done. So let us leave it to them,” he said.
The former Umno vice-president also said Malaysia’s stance on Palestine had never changed, and that the country remains firm in opposing Israeli aggression.
“Malaysia has always been consistent in rejecting Israel and recognising Palestine as a state.
“The world’s failure to address Israel’s atrocities stems from the veto power in the United Nations Security Council, which is often used by the US to block any resolution involving Israel.
“When I was prime minister, I spoke at the UN calling for the abolition of this veto power because it causes every decision against Israel to fail. As long as it exists, the US will continue to block whatever is decided,” he said.
Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, meanwhile, said the government should not withdraw Trump’s invitation, warning that this could see the US president dishing out additional tariffs on the country.
“You know Trump. He will retaliate – whether by imposing 90% tariffs or introducing new sanctions … He will do it,” Khairy said on the Keluar Sekejap podcast.
Trump confirmed his attendance at the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur, scheduled for Oct 26 to Oct 28, during a phone call with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Those opposing his visit include PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, who described Trump as a “great devil”.
Hadi said Trump’s administration had repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions to hold Israel accountable for its actions and supplied “banned weapons” now being used in Gaza.
The Islamic party has said it is considering a protest against the US leader’s attendance.
Anwar meanwhile defended Trump’s invitation, saying Malaysia had been outspoken in supporting Palestine and Gaza, and would use diplomatic channels to champion the cause.
He said Malaysia must also be “wise in making friends” and consider the country’s economic interests, particularly in high-tech exports.
As Asean chair, Malaysia has also extended invitations to the summit to Russian president Vladimir Putin, Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and South African president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Anwar’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah yesterday stressed that Trump’s presence alongside that of other world leaders in Kuala Lumpur was part of the diplomatic mandate entrusted to Malaysia as Asean chair.