MALAYSIA wants to be friendly with all countries, including China, as it is a trading nation, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

The prime minster said it was key for Malaysia to have access to all markets, including China, despite ideological differences.

“As you know, Malaysia is a trading nation. We need markets. We cannot afford to quarrel with people because of their ideologies.

“We want to have access to all the markets of the world, whether east or west, whether they are communist or non-communist, it is of no concern to us. Our business is to establish relations,” he said in a press conference today.

Last night, the Pakatan Harapan chairman said Putrajaya will be reviewing a number of projects involving China.

Beijing said yesterday Malaysia should honour the bilateral commitments made by former prime minister Najib Razak.

Today, Dr Mahathir said he was wary that a foreign power like China would impose sanctions on Malaysia if it didn’t get its way.

“There will probably be big powers who may want to impose sanctions. To the extent that we can, sanctions by big powers are not international. Big powers deciding on their own will not influence our policies.”

Malaysia, he said, will remain neutral. – May 11, 2018.