Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has brushed off calls for him to resign over the government’s decision to sign the reciprocal trade agreement (ART) with the US, saying he has grown tired of such demands.
Defending the government’s decision to sign the deal, Anwar said Malaysia is not the only country to do so, pointing out that even an economic superpower like China is negotiating with the US over reciprocal tariffs imposed on the republic.
“This is not about surrendering (or) betraying (our country) or (subjecting it to) a new form of colonialism.
“(You) are asking me to resign once again? How many times do you want to ask (me) to resign? Enough is enough,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
While Anwar did not direct his comments to anyone in particular, it came a day after former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad called for Anwar and his Cabinet to resign over the decision to sign the ART.
At a press conference yesterday, Mahathir claimed that signing the deal meant Malaysia had lost access to other markets and allowed Washington to interfere in key sectors, including food, manufacturing, agriculture, telecommunications, defence, and mining.
He described the exit clause in the agreement as a “deception” and that “the only exit clause now is for Anwar and his Cabinet to take responsibility and resign”.
He also claimed that the trade deal was unconstitutional as the agreement allegedly contradicted several provisions in the Federal Constitution concerning Malay and Bumiputera rights, as well as the position of the Malay rulers and state governments.
Mahathir also claimed the deal effectively tied Malaysia to the US’s interests, leaving the country unable to make decisions independently.
However, the Attorney-General’s Chambers had given an assurance that Malaysia’s sovereignty and national interests remained fully protected under the agreement.
