Dr M to file police report over 'one-sided' Malaysia-US trade deal
Published: Dec 2, 2025 11:00 AM
Updated: 3:32 PM
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be lodging a police report against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today over the controversial Malaysia-US reciprocal trade deal, which he called “one-sided”.
The centenarian will lodge the report at 11am at Putrajaya district police headquarters, following a recent Bloomberg report detailing China’s Commerce Ministry's “grave concerns” about sections of the Malaysia-US trade pact during a meeting with Malaysian officials on Nov 25.
The agreement includes provisions encouraging closer alignment with Washington on national security matters such as export controls, sanctions, and investment screening.
Last month, Mahathir urged Anwar to resign as he claimed the deal not only violates the Federal Constitution but also jeopardises the rights and sovereignty of the nation, including the position of the Malay rulers.
He said the agreement is one-sided and causes Malaysia to lose part of its freedom to determine its own policies and decisions, as well as asserting that the government’s action in signing the agreement contradicts the spirit of 1957 independence and fundamental provisions in the Federal Constitution.
PM Anwar Ibrahim
“What Anwar has done is against the Constitution. He does not have the right to mortgage the nation without the two-thirds approval from the members of the Dewan Rakyat,” the former prime minister said.
Contentious trade pact
Inked on Oct 26 between Anwar and US President Donald Trump during the latter’s visit to Kuala Lumpur for the Asean Summit, the trade pact also grants preferential access for American goods and services, while the US has exempted certain Malaysian exports from Trump’s 19 percent reciprocal tariff.
In return, Malaysia is expected to observe US trade restrictions tied to economic or national security concerns, align itself with US export controls and sanctions on sensitive technologies, and prevent Malaysian firms from facilitating sanctions evasion.
Putrajaya is also expected to explore mechanisms to screen inbound investments for national security risks, including those involving critical minerals and infrastructure.
Apart from Mahathir, the deal has courted plenty of backlash from other lawmakers, who lamented that it was “heavily lopsided” in favour of a foreign power.
Miti minister’s defence
In Parliament yesterday, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz reiterated that Malaysia did not negotiate the trade agreement “from a position of comfort”, noting that the talks were held under the threat of Trump’s 25 percent tariff on almost all of Malaysia’s exports to the US.
“What Anwar has done is against the Constitution. He does not have the right to mortgage the nation without the two-thirds approval from the members of the Dewan Rakyat,” the former prime minister said.
Contentious trade pact
Inked on Oct 26 between Anwar and US President Donald Trump during the latter’s visit to Kuala Lumpur for the Asean Summit, the trade pact also grants preferential access for American goods and services, while the US has exempted certain Malaysian exports from Trump’s 19 percent reciprocal tariff.
In return, Malaysia is expected to observe US trade restrictions tied to economic or national security concerns, align itself with US export controls and sanctions on sensitive technologies, and prevent Malaysian firms from facilitating sanctions evasion.
Putrajaya is also expected to explore mechanisms to screen inbound investments for national security risks, including those involving critical minerals and infrastructure.
Apart from Mahathir, the deal has courted plenty of backlash from other lawmakers, who lamented that it was “heavily lopsided” in favour of a foreign power.
Miti minister’s defence
In Parliament yesterday, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz reiterated that Malaysia did not negotiate the trade agreement “from a position of comfort”, noting that the talks were held under the threat of Trump’s 25 percent tariff on almost all of Malaysia’s exports to the US.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz
“Through the agreement, we capped the tariff (rate) at 19 percent, not 25 percent or higher. We locked in zero tariffs for 1,711 tariff lines, and we also succeeded in ensuring key products - even semiconductor products - remain exempt.
“When asked why Malaysia was among the earliest to sign (the trade agreement with the US), the answer is simple: because we were among the most exposed.
“Our export structure, dependence on the E&E (electrical and electronics) sector, as well as vulnerability to US tariffs, are far higher than several other Asean countries,” he added.
“Through the agreement, we capped the tariff (rate) at 19 percent, not 25 percent or higher. We locked in zero tariffs for 1,711 tariff lines, and we also succeeded in ensuring key products - even semiconductor products - remain exempt.
“When asked why Malaysia was among the earliest to sign (the trade agreement with the US), the answer is simple: because we were among the most exposed.
“Our export structure, dependence on the E&E (electrical and electronics) sector, as well as vulnerability to US tariffs, are far higher than several other Asean countries,” he added.
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He'll hound, pester and harass Anwar even from the grave, wakakaka.
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