BUKIT MERTAJAM: Malaysia remains a free and sovereign nation in establishing international relations without yielding to any major power, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this stance enables Malaysia to maintain trade and investment relations with other countries, including the United States, China, Brazil and South Africa to gain economic benefits and for the well-being of the people.
“I will attend the G20 Summit (in South Africa) because Malaysia is an independent, sovereign and free country.
“If we were to bow to America’s instructions, I would not go,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the traffic dispersal project between Juru and Sungai Dua toll plazas.
US President Donald Trump had said that no government officials will be attending the Group of 20 Summit in South Africa later this month, because of what he said were “human rights abuses” taking place in the country.
Anwar said although Malaysia signed a trade agreement with the United States, it does not prevent cooperation with other countries, including in the rare earth sector.
“Some say rare earth investments are only with the United States; that is completely untrue. In Pahang, Lynas’ rare earth operations involve investment from Australia, and another new RM600mil investment has come in through JS Link (of South Korea).
“In Perak, rare earth investments are with China. There is absolutely no restriction. When we look at the agreement, we also look at the exemptions and opportunities that exist,” he said, Bernama reported.
The Prime Minister also said this pragmatic approach is important to ensure Malaysia continues to attract investments in high-impact sectors such as semiconductors and green energy, thereby driving the country’s economic growth.
Malaysia and the United States signed a trade deal on Oct 26 during the 47th Asean and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur.
