PETALING JAYA, Oct 2 — Welcoming world leaders to Malaysia should not be construed as an endorsement of their policies but as a diplomatic necessity, Penang mufti Sukki Othman said today.
He stressed that hosting visiting dignitaries, including controversial figures, allows Malaysia to communicate important messages on global issues such as Palestine.
“Diplomacy allows the message of Islam to be heard. Sometimes, this is more effective than closing the door for communication,” Sukki told FMT.
His remarks came in response to concerns raised over US president Donald Trump’s invitation to attend the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur later this month.
Sukki added that Malaysia carries both moral and religious responsibilities to stand against colonisation and oppression, underscoring that engaging world leaders through official platforms is part of that duty.
“Welcoming them does not mean we endorse everything they do. It is about dialogue and conveying truth,” he said.
