All Eyes on Malaysia As Trump, Li Qiang & (Maybe) Putin Join 47th ASEAN Summit

By Danial Martinus • 10 Sep 2025 in News

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(source: Dominick Reuter / Reuters via Newsweek & Bernama via New Straits Times)

Malaysia will be stepping into the global spotlight once again next month as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that US President Donald Trump will be making his way to Kuala Lumpur for the 47th ASEAN Summit.

Not just a handshake and photo-op

The news came out rather casually at Ambank Group’s 50th Golden Jubilee Anniversary Dinner, where Anwar revealed that Trump himself had picked up the phone to say he was coming.

But this isn’t just your run-of-the-mill courtesy meet-up. It coincides with the 47th ASEAN Summit, which will also see Chinese Premier Li Qiang in attendance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin might be tagging along as well. According to Anwar, Putin had personally told him in Beijing that he’s “seriously considering” the trip. If that happens, Malaysia will find itself hosting three of the world’s most powerful leaders at the same time.

For a country like Malaysia, which often prefers to keep its diplomatic cards close to its chest, this is a pretty big deal. Anwar sees it as proof of Malaysia’s rising significance on the geopolitical stage.

“These are trying times. But notwithstanding, I’ve been very optimistic because we have the resilience. We have to build with this resilience, economic resilience and domestic resilience,” Anwar says. “There’s no reason, absolutely no reason why we can’t overcome because our fundamentals have been strong.”

He pitched Malaysia as not just a convenient pitstop, but also a reliable partner in Southeast Asia.

Still, it’s extremely rare to have such a trio in the same room, let alone in Malaysia. This could raise the stakes of the 47th ASEAN Summit. Their usual discussions could take on a much sharper edge thanks to the presence of the three major power players (each with vastly differing world views).

A visit that some might see as a double-edged sword

(source: @khai_refomer7 via BDS Malaysia)

Of course, Trump’s visit will definitely spark heated debates. For some, it’s a reflection of Malaysia’s diplomatic clout.

For others, the visit could be seen as Malaysia bowing in submission to Trump despite repeated condemnations of his policies abroad, particularly his tariffs and the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

But it’ll definitely be interesting to see what happens.

For more news, head to JUICE Malaysia.