The former Perikatan Nasional and Bersatu federal territories secretary said dealing with Trump was acknowledgement that Malaysia’s future cannot be tied to sentiment, but to strategy.

“Realpolitik demands engagement, not emotional grandstanding,” he said in a statement.

“Malaysia’s duty is to its people, not to the echo chambers of the West or the moral theatrics of Twitter (currently known as X),” said Mahathir, who recently announced his membership in PKR’s Batu division.

He said that while Malaysia holds deep emotional ties to the Palestinian cause, it must “distinguish solidarity from extremism, and emotion from policy”.

“Malaysia must never allow its sovereignty to be compromised by imported agendas. The president who managed to pause the Gaza carnage, even briefly, deserves recognition. Not every hero looks the way we expect them to,” he said in a statement today.

Mahathir’s defence of the US president comes after an estimated 700 people took part in a protest rally against Trump’s visit for the Asean summit.

PAS Youth chief Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said their dissatisfaction stemmed from US support for Israel, and Trump’s warning that he would destroy Hamas if it were to break the ceasefire agreement.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari also accused Putrajaya of “rushing to welcome” Trump, saying rejecting him does not mean severing diplomatic ties with the US, but rather expressing solidarity with the Palestinians.

However, Mahathir argued that hosting Trump is proof that Malaysia can “engage all sides while protecting its sovereignty”.

“Those quick to criticise should recall that if the opposition held power, they too would extend their hands,” he said.