Fahmi said technical inquiries should be directed to the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI).
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has dismissed claims that discussions surrounding the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States were conducted without proper disclosure, saying the matter had already been brought before the Cabinet.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the issue was previously raised in Parliament earlier this week.
Several MPs sought clarification regarding the agreement signed during the recently concluded 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
“There was indeed a Cabinet Memorandum that was brought, and the matters involved were examined.
“So the allegation that there was something undisclosed does not apply,” he said during his weekly post-Cabinet press conference today.
Fahmi said technical inquiries should be directed to the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI).
“There are many who wish to understand the details, including media colleagues. They may engage directly with the Press Secretary to the Miti Minister (Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz),” he said.
The ART was signed on October 27 2025 in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
The deal is said to outline reciprocal treatment for certain categories of originating goods between Malaysia and the United States, alongside cooperation on regulatory practices and trade facilitation.
On Nov 6 during the Dewan Rakyat sitting, questions were raised when MPs pressed the government for clarification on the newly signed trade arrangement.
Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN–Arau) had requested clarification on the interpretation of Article 3.3 within the agreement’s text, while Datuk Radzi Jidin (PN–Putrajaya) sought an explanation on its possible implications for taxation, government revenue and government-linked entities.
In the same sitting, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said the agreement allows Malaysia to move forward without facing a potential 19% trade tariff risk, adding that the arrangement provides greater certainty for local industries and could help encourage foreign direct investment.
He also said the Finance Ministry had provided input on tax considerations when the agreement was being finalised.
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