PN MP wants emergency session to debate 'satanic' US trade deal

PARLIAMENT | An opposition MP has submitted a motion urging the Dewan Rakyat to hold an emergency session to discuss the reciprocal trade agreement finalised between Malaysia and the US recently.

Describing the agreement as a “satanic deal”, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang) said it was important to scrutinise the agreement, signed during US President Donald Trump’s visit last Sunday, as it involves national sovereignty and Malaysia’s foreign policy interests.

“I have submitted a motion urging the Dewan Rakyat to hold an emergency session to discuss the reciprocal trade agreement between Malaysia and the US to preserve the sovereignty and interests of Malaysia’s foreign policy.

“As debated in public, this finalised agreement, in the view of many parties, economic experts, and Perikatan Nasional, is very detrimental to us.

“Imagine we invite Trump here, to our house, just for us to dance to his tune. When he arrived with Air Force One, our prime minister shamelessly danced along with Trump.

“To me, that was a bad moment which we clearly saw as happened in the negotiation of this agreement,” he said at a press conference at Parliament today.

Two days ago, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Trump signed a comprehensive agreement on reciprocal trade.

Under the agreement, the reciprocal tariff rate for Malaysia remains at 19 percent. However, Malaysia has obtained an agreement that the list of goods exempted from reciprocal tariffs under Trump’s executive order last April will remain in effect.

This includes semiconductors and other electronic components, among Malaysia’s main exports to the US.

Another key point in the agreement is that Malaysia will not impose any quotas on exports of critical minerals and rare earth to the US.

M’sia at losing end

On that note, Wan Fayhsal claimed that the agreement saw Malaysia “surrendering its neck” to the US, adding many of the things agreed upon would be detrimental to the country.

“This (agreement) has ‘devils’ and ‘demons’. It needs to be ‘ruqyah-ed’ (exorcised) first to see what is amiss. But how to ‘ruqyah’ if there is no debate in Parliament?” he asked.

Wan Fayhsal also urged Putrajaya not to execute the agreement before it is debated and approved in the Dewan Rakyat.

He mentioned that if the Dewan Rakyat speaker does not allow the agreement to be debated, the opposition will hold another “Turun Anwar” rally.

“This agreement is very detrimental. Many details in the agreement point to this.

“If the government is not transparent and does not allow a debate, we will bring tens of thousands (to the rally) again,” Wan Fayhsal added.

PSSC to study agreement

On a related matter, Wong Chen (Harapan-Subang) said the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) on International Relations and International Trade will convene a session on Nov 12 to examine the trade agreement.

Wong, who is also the PSSC chair, said the session is aimed at getting an explanation from the government, particularly in the context of Malaysia’s commitments under multilateral trade agreements.

He also said that while Parliament does not possess the authority to vote on trade agreements, it nonetheless has the duty to ensure the government's accountability in the policy decisions it makes.

“We intend to invite the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry, the US embassy and eminent economists and representatives from trade chambers to provide their views and also to respond to questions,” Bernama reported him as saying today.

According to Wong, the committee will then relay its feedback and provide recommendations to the government once the hearing is completed.

“I think it is really important (to call the hearing) because we have to be clear, as it will have an impact on our trade with other countries, like China in particular.

“To be fair, we are not making a judgment. Let us leave it to the experts to testify on Nov 12, and the recommendations we make will give an opportunity for the government to make amendments, if need be, and if the Americans agree,” he added.

Reporting by Hariz Mohd, Alyaa Alhadjri, N Faizal Ghazali

Trade deal: Why are we 'surrendering' RM1 trillion to US, ask Hassan, MCA leader

Trump visit touted as chance to talk about Gaza, so what did Anwar say?

Asean, China set to boost trade with upgraded deal

KINIGUIDE | What's in the US-M'sia trade deal that impacts China?

Experts: Trump deal doesn't distance M'sia from China, but tests balance

M'sia didn't surrender sovereignty in trade pact - US envoy