India to restrict more Malaysian imports, says report

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 15 Jan 2020 9:19AM · 5 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has ruffled feathers in India with his vow to continue speaking out against New Delhi policies he disagrees with. – EPA pic, January 15, 2020.

HOT on the heels of its restriction on palm oil imports, New Delhi now plans to curb the entry of microprocessors and telecoms equipment from Malaysia, reports The Times of India.

It said customs authorities have been told to ensure compliance with the government’s technical standards and quality-control order, in what may be the first trade retaliation by India against a nation’s political stance.

This comes after Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad vowed to continue speaking out against Indian government policies he disagrees with, following New Delhi’s move last week to place restrictions on refined palm oil imports.

“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,” he said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Previously, Dr Mahathir slammed India for revoking Kashmir’s semi-autonomous status, as well as its introduction of a citizenship law deemed anti-Muslim.

Indian authorities are also upset by Putrajaya’s refusal to extradite preacher Zakir Naik, who is wanted in his home country on terrorism and money-laundering charges.

The Mumbai-born televangelist, who holds permanent resident status in Malaysia, was last year barred from giving public speeches after his incendiary comments on the country’s Chinese and Indians sparked furore.

The Times said the Indian Mines Ministry is keeping tabs on imports and may take action in the next few weeks.

It added that Malaysian palm oil already faces higher import tariffs – 50%, due to a 5% safeguard duty – compared with the 45% imposed on the commodity produced by Indonesia.

Palm oil from both Southeast Asian nations constitutes about two-thirds of India’s annual vegetable oil imports of 15 million tonnes. – January 15, 2020.

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Comments

  • Well done Mahathir! Your ego is taking Malaysia down bit by bit.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • Tun send the goatie back and undur lah. rakyat suffering and you and your loud mouth are not helping at all

    Posted 4 years ago by . . · Reply

  • Kudos on enforcing your warped thoughts only when it conveniences you, Mahathir!

    Posted 4 years ago by SHASHA CHACKO · Reply

  • Dr M can deny all he wants but the facts speak for themselves. Speak out on issues sensitive to a foreign country and face the threat of trade sanctions. It may be bad for Mahathir's ego but good for the livelihoods of millions of Malaysians if the Prime Minister minds his own business and zips up his mouth. Now many livelihoods will be affected by his recalcitrance and misplaced arrogance. On this ground alone he should be replaced soon in the national interest.

    Posted 4 years ago by Panchen Low · Reply

  • Tun M should has no right to interfere in other countrys affair. More do, when his comments are biased and facts are not properly checked.

    Posted 4 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply