Politicians fire at Anwar for ‘unfair’ trade deal that ‘sells the country’s rights’

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FROM former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Urimai chairman Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim faces mounting fire over what critics brand a lopsided trade pact — one they say sacrifices national rights and chips away at Malaysia’s sovereignty.

Dr Mahathir accused the government of surrendering Malaysia’s sovereignty through the US–Malaysia reciprocal trade agreement signed by Anwar and US President Donald Trump.

Calling the pact “modern-day imperialism”, Dr Mahathir said Putrajaya had “traded independence to please foreign powers” and warned it marked the return of neo-colonialism.

He criticised clauses compelling Malaysia to mirror US sanctions on other nations, which he said targeted China, and condemned the requirement to favour US goods and firms. Dr Mahathir also questioned the practicality of the exit clause, describing the deal as “lopsided and submissive”.

“It is a submission of our economic freedom, which we have worked hard to protect and build. So, stop cloaking it in trade and cooperation language or in diplomatic niceties – just admit that you have traded our independence because you lacked spine and were keen to please the foreign powers.

“And it is the very power that supports and commits genocide on Palestinians,” he said on Facebook.

He also lamented that, under the deal, Malaysia has to open its markets based on the US’ terms and conditions, including with whom Malaysia can do business.

While acknowledging there is an exit clause, Dr Mahathir questioned whether the US administration would just accept Malaysia’s decision to cancel certain terms easily.

“And if this government is using the exit clause to get out of a lopsided deal, obviously, it doesn’t know how to cut a deal in the first place,” said the centenarian.

Article 7.5, titled Termination, states that either party may end the agreement by providing written notice to the other. The termination will take effect 180 days from the date the notice is issued.

Meanwhile, the Urimai chairman said the party is considering legal action against the recently signed US–Malaysia trade agreement, describing it as unfair and one-sided.

He said Urimai is consulting its legal team to determine if there are constitutional grounds to challenge or nullify the deal in Malaysian courts, citing threats to national sovereignty and economic independence.

Ramasamy noted that the agreement, signed under US President Donald Trump’s executive authority, could also face challenges in US courts.

He added that Anwar’s statement affirming Malaysia’s right to withdraw from the pact strengthens the case for legal recourse.

For Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, his concerns are that the trade agreement between the US and Cambodia is more favourable than the one signed between Malaysia and the US.

The former economy minister said there were several aspects of the Cambodia–US agreement that offered significantly better advantages compared to Malaysia’s, including in terms of the reciprocal action clause.

He explained that under this clause, the US-Malaysia agreement states that reciprocal actions must be carried out for reasons of mutual economic interest or national security.

“The clause on reciprocal action means whatever (policy) the US implements, our country has to follow as well.

“For the Cambodia–US agreement, it (reciprocal action) only states ‘for the purpose of economic security alignment’. Cambodia does not have the ‘national security concern’ clause,” he said during a live broadcast of his podcast Yang Berhenti Menteri on YouTube on Friday (Oct 31).

On Sunday (Oct 26), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade and a critical minerals agreement to strengthen cooperation during the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

On the other hand, Anwar found backing from an unexpected source. Anwar critic and social activist, lawyer Siti Kasim voiced strong support for the US–Malaysia trade agreement signed during Trump’s visit, calling it a progressive step that ends discriminatory pro-bumiputra economic policies.

She said the deal ensures equal opportunities for all Malaysians and praised Anwar’s leadership for re-strategising Malaysia’s global position. Siti credited Trump’s “boldness” in pushing for fairer trade terms and commended both governments for reducing tariffs and empowering entrepreneurs over bureaucrats.

She added that Malaysia must move beyond “apartheid-style” preferences to secure its economic future, calling the pact “a win for fairness and equality”. — Nov 1, 2025

 

Main photo credit: Bernama

The post Politicians fire at Anwar for ‘unfair’ trade deal that ‘sells the country’s rights’ first appeared on Focus Malaysia.

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