Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has slammed the Government for compromising national sovereignty by signing a reciprocal trade agreement with the United States (US).
He further criticised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for not consulting Parliament or legal experts before putting his signature on it.
Donald Trump (left) and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
“American companies are effectively granted Bumiputera privileges”
In a press conference, Mahathir said the move was like “handing Malaysia over to the United States” and that the agreement was “a foolish move”.
“This agreement is a foolish move by the Government, which immediately and recklessly signed it. Meanwhile, other ASEAN countries did not sign the agreement. Why is Malaysia handing itself over to the United States, when ASEAN countries took time to review the agreement, while Malaysia only took two days?” he asked.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
He also claimed that American companies have effectively been given Bumiputera status under a reciprocal trade agreement between Malaysia and the US, calling it “a betrayal of Malaysia’s independence“.
Mahathir added that the deal would force Malaysia to buy goods from the US and give Washington a say in the country’s future trade policies.
“We are forced to follow this agreement, which requires us to purchase billions worth of goods from America. We have to buy gas from America, we have to buy aircraft from America. Sixty Boeing planes will be bought under this deal. It means we are no longer free.”
A police report was filed against Anwar
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Department and the Attorney General’s Chambers on 3 November, earlier claims that the trade deal undermined the country’s sovereignty were dismissed, with officials saying Malaysia can terminate the agreement if needed.
Meanwhile, local media reported that the trade agreement signed with US President Donald Trump had been carefully reviewed by senior government officials to ensure Malaysia’s interests were protected.
Mahathir said a coalition of NGOs plans to file police reports across the country against Anwar, accusing him of “treason” (From minute 1:27) in connection with the agreement. You can watch the press conference from 1:40 onwards here.
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