Ramasamy wants US Ambassador Edgard Kagan to be declared persona non grata in Malaysia

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It is unbecoming of the US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan to sing praises of the recently concluded US-Malaysia reciprocal trade deal.

The agreement jointly inked by US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 26 in Kuala Lumpur has turned out to be an unimaginable nightmare for Malaysia despite all the pomp and drama surrounding its signing.

Almost all the provisions in the trade deal have adversely affected Malaysia’s economic and political independence. Even an emerging country like Cambodia managed to secure a better deal, especially in safeguarding its national sovereignty.

Ambassador Kagan should exercise restraint and responsibility in his public statements. Without thoroughly examining the details of the agreement, he should not claim that the deal stands to mutually benefit both the US and Malaysia.

Yes, the deal clearly benefits the US but certainly not Malaysia. By signing this unfair and lopsided agreement, Malaysia has effectively surrendered a significant portion of its economic sovereignty.

A close and critical examination reveals that the so-called “mutual benefit” of the deal is nothing more than a myth.

Among its most restrictive provisions are those that curb Malaysia’s rights to trade freely with other nations, import advanced technology and enriched uranium, and access or manage its own raw material resources.

‘Diplomatic spin’

The deal further constrains Malaysia’s ability to diversify its trade and manage imports and exports independently. In short, it imposes heavy limitations on what Malaysia can and cannot do, undermining the nation’s right to chart its own economic course.

Essentially, the agreement subjugates Malaysia to US hegemony – eroding both economic and political sovereignty.

Yet, Ambassador Kagan refuses to acknowledge this grim reality. Instead, he perpetuates half-truths and diplomatic spin to promote what is, in essence, a deeply rotten trade deal.

By championing this exploitative arrangement, Kagan has clearly outlived his useful diplomatic role in Malaysia. His continued presence serves only to advance the interests of a hegemonic US under the mercurial Trump administration.

For the sake of Malaysia’s dignity and sovereignty, the Madani government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should seriously consider declaring Edgard D. Kagan persona non grata.

Malaysia does not need an envoy who undermines its independence and national interests. – Nov 3, 2025

 

Former DAP stalwart and Penang deputy chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.P Ramasamy books

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.

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