A question of double standards

Khaled (right), seen here with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, has said that as a free trading nation, Malaysia allows for all global players to market their products and services here. —Bernama

“TELL them to leave Malaysia asap.” These were some of the words used by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in telling the government to get rid of companies which took part in the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (NatSec) Asia 2024, at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) this week.

The former prime minister was targeting Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace and defence company, and BAE Systems, a British aerospace and weapons firm. Lockheed Martin has supplied F-35 fighter jets to Israel, while BAE Systems supplies parts for the F-35 jets. Their presence, Dr Mahathir said, is an insult to the struggle of the Palestinians and the support of Malaysians against the genocide in Gaza.