PM admits Malaysia too small to retaliate against India

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 20 Jan 2020 1:55PM · 3 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of Indian policies is hurting Malaysia’s exports of palm oil to the South Asian giant. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, January 20, 2020.

MALAYSIA will find “ways and means” to overcome India’s restrictions of palm oil purchases, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Malaysia is a much smaller country than India and, as such, would not take retaliatory trade action over the restrictions, he said in Langkawi today.

“We are too small to take retaliatory action. We have to find ways and means to overcome that.”

He was responding to India’s decision to impose curbs on refined palm oil imports, with New Delhi saying the move is to protect local millers.

The decision came about after comments from Dr Mahathir attacking India’s domestic policies.

Dr Mahathir had previously irked India by slamming its new religion-based citizenship law and criticised the move to revoke Kashmir’s autonomy.

He also refused to deport controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik to his homeland where he is wanted for money-laundering and terrorism charges.

India has been Malaysia’s largest palm oil market for the past five years and the boycott presents Putrajaya with a major challenge to find new buyers for its palm oil.

Last week, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok said Malaysia would use diplomatic channels to overcome India’s restrictions on palm oil imports.

She said Putrajaya is also eyeing new markets for the commodity, among them Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, South Africa, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

India’s restrictions do not affect Malaysian exports of crude palm oil (CPO) to the South Asian country. – January 20, 2020.

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Comments

  • Maybe the easiest way would have been to refrain from commenting other countries domestic policies whether one like it or not. Concentrate on our own issues which are growing day by day. Recover the confidence of normal Malaysians who voted for CHANGE

    Posted 4 years ago by Raghu Thiyagarajan · Reply

  • TDM has enough on his plate. Please dont interfere anymore in others Business

    Posted 4 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply

  • TDM: you are the one who caused this problem when you meddled with other countries internal affairs. How would you feel if the Indian government starts to speak out against the preferential policies of this country as well as the marginalisation for years of the Indian community here in Malaysia? I am sure you will also not take it lightly. Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. You did that and has cause immense damage to the country's economy. Indian has to respond if they are a self-respecting nation and they are of course. Now you have to work out plans to mitigate the damage which is substantial. It was all so unnecessary. What has your comments achieved for the Kashmiries? What has protecting Zakir Naik profitted us? How can you question the impartiality of the Indian courts? Nothing constructive has been achieved but on the contrary your silly and unwarranted statements has cause so much damage to us. Just step down because you are an absolute liability to the country. Have some dignity and step down. You are definitely dispensable. Best that you are gone soonest possible to enjoy the last lapse of your twilight years, with your grand children with your massive wealth.

    Posted 4 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply