BUKIT JALIL, Oct. 9 -- Malaysia's decision to invite United States President Donald Trump to the upcoming Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur is part of Putrajaya's strategic effort to push for Palestinian rights through diplomacy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night.

Dismissing criticism of the invitation, Anwar said that engagement with world powers is necessary to achieve meaningful change.

"In the name of Asean, we want to invite Donald Trump. What's wrong with negotiating? I am not surrendering, I want to negotiate," he said at the "Himpunan Solidariti Bersama Gaza" rally at the Axiata Arena here to loud cheers.

Anwar said he hopes his meeting with Trump during the summit later this month will help advance the cause o...