Dr Mahathir worried about Indian ban on palm oil but won’t be silenced

Ravin Palanisamy Mohd Farhan Darwis Ravin Palanisamy, Mohd Farhan Darwis Updated 4 years ago · Published on 14 Jan 2020 1:25PM · 4 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says a nation can’t always think about money only and must have a moral stand. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, January 14, 2020.

DR Mahathir Mohamad is concerned over India’s move to ban imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia but said it would not stop him from speaking out against policies with which he disagreed.

The prime minister today defended his criticism of certain policies by New Delhi, saying it was necessary to speak out against wrongdoing.

“We are concerned about it (India’s ban on refined palm oil) because we sell a lot of palm oil to India, but on the other hand, we need to be frank and say when something goes wrong.

“If you allow things to go wrong and only think about the money involved, then I think a lot of wrong things would be done by us and by others,” Dr Mahathir said after attending the Bank Rakyat Integrity Forum 2020. 

India earlier this month told its refiners to stop importing refined palm oil from Malaysia.

The move follows Dr Mahathir’s criticism last year of New Delhi’s move to revoke Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status, as well as introduction of a citizenship law that is seen as anti-Muslim.

New Delhi hit out at Dr Mahathir’s description of Jammu and Kashmir as having been “invaded and occupied” by India while speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in September last year.

On India’s new citizenship law, he said that it was discriminatory.

He said, however, he would find a bilateral solution to resolve the current ban on refined palm oil.

India was the biggest buyer of Malaysian palm oil in 2018, importing 2.5 million tonnes, followed by China, which bought 1.86 million tonnes. – January 14, 2020.

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Comments

  • First thing first walk the walk and dont practice double standard as you deem fit !

    Posted 4 years ago by Chen Fui Chin · Reply

  • Can I give you some advice, Dr M? Before you criticize another country, care to look at yourself in the mirror. I am surprised that at such an advanced age which implies a greater store of wisdom, you are so egostical as not to see the mistakes you have made during your first stint as PM which has resulted in corruption and a people divided by race and religion. You created the monster called Jakim that consumed billions of ringgit of taxpayers money a year which resulted in more problems than benefits. It appears the nation is better off with a new leader because in your case a tiger will never lose its stripes. It is pitiful to see you clinging on to power when a new face at the helm would invigorate Malaysia Baru without the excess baggage of UMNO styles abuses and arrogance. Before you mind other people's business keep your own house in order.

    Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Talking ayam

    Posted 4 years ago by Astann astann · Reply

  • we voted you to save malaysia. not to be hero of muslim world.

    Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply