In a statement today, she said it was surprising that Najib was “so inordinately proud” of his friendship with Trump, and asked if the prime minister had forgotten about “Trump’s infamous ‘Muslim ban'”.
“There has been a 91% increase in hate crimes against Muslims under Trump’s presidency. Did Najib express concern on this to his ‘friend’ Trump?”
The “Muslim ban” of which she spoke was likely the temporary travel ban which bars citizens of Yemen and five other Muslim-majority countries with no “bona fide” connections to the US from travelling there.
It was blocked by lower courts before being partially reinstated by the Supreme Court in June.
In a ruling earlier this month, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals said grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins of legal US residents would be exempt from the travel ban.
Latheefa said Trump had repeatedly shown “zealous support” for Israel and contempt for the cause of Palestinians.
“He has given support for shifting Israel’s capital to Jerusalem, which is an act of extreme provocation to the Muslim world.
“Did Najib speak up for the Palestinians to his ‘friend’ Trump?
“These are the matters which concern Malaysia and its people, which were never raised by Najib when given a chance.”
If the prime minister had done so, she said, he would have returned to a “genuine hero’s welcome”.
“We may be a small nation, but we have always stood up for what is right in the international arena.”
She also reiterated criticism of Najib’s commitment of “huge amounts of taxpayers’ money and EPF money” to the US economy, pointing out that he had returned without obtaining any reciprocal investment by the US.
“Is it something very impressive to take our money and invest it overseas? No foreign economy, including the US, would turn down such a gift on a silver platter.
“There is nothing for Malaysians to be proud of in Najib’s much-touted White House outing,” she said.