Trump arrives in Kuala Lumpur to cheers and protests

He was welcomed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other officials. Crowds waved Malaysian and US flags as traditional performers danced for the visiting leader. Trump joined in on the red carpet, punching his fists to the beat and playfully posing with national flags before entering his limousine, known as The Beast, alongside Anwar.

The visit has drawn mixed reactions in Malaysia, where pro-Gaza sentiment runs strong. An anti-Trump protest originally scheduled at Ampang Park was relocated to Dataran Merdeka after police restricted access to the area.

Trump’s visit also marks a diplomatic milestone for Anwar, who has increasingly positioned himself as an active player on the global stage. While his ties with Hamas leaders have occasionally complicated relations with Washington, Anwar and Trump both played a role in addressing the July border clash between Thailand and Cambodia, which left dozens dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. Their involvement helped bring the two sides to a ceasefire agreement on July 28.

The two countries are expected to formalise a border peace agreement on Sunday in a ceremony witnessed by Trump, who has repeatedly highlighted his record on international conflict resolution.