ART DOES NOT PAWN NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY - FORMER IGP AND FORMER ARMED FORCES CHIEF

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 11 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia-United States (US) Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) has been confirmed as not affecting the country's sovereignty after a detailed examination of its contents showed that all national interests are protected.

The conclusion was made by three national security figures, namely former Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) chief General (Rtd) Tan Sri Dr Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain and the Malaysian Commando Veterans Club president Md Shah Yassin after attending a special briefing by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) here today to thoroughly understand the essence of the agreement. 

Zulkifeli said that a study of the preamble of the agreement clearly stated that both countries have shared values ​​and respect each other's sovereignty and economic prosperity.

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Through the agreement, he said the government has ensured that national interests are always guaranteed and there is no clause in the agreement that shows the government is compromising these principles.

"There is a perception that we need to get US approval to buy something (procurement), but the 'shall consult' clause in the agreement means that we negotiate, not that we must get approval from the US.

"If Malaysia or the US do not agree due to their respective national interests, then we have the right to cancel the agreement, so where does it mean that our national sovereignty is at stake?," he told reporters after the briefing session.

He also explained that the agreement had gone through a strict due process involving scrutiny by MITI, the Attorney General's Chambers and the Cabinet to ensure that the country's sovereignty was not compromised.

"Based on the process experienced, this reciprocal trade agreement was first led by MITI before going through detailed scrutiny by the Attorney General's Chambers. The entire matter will then be brought to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.

"Therefore, I am of the view that due process has been fully complied with and I am confident that the Attorney General's Chambers will never compromise the country's sovereignty, let alone MITI which is comprised of experienced administrative and diplomatic officers, it is impossible for us to arbitrarily compromise the country's sovereignty," he said.

Meanwhile, Razarudin said that MITI's explanation had dispelled concerns about the claim that the agreement would affect the country's sovereignty, especially since the preamble to the agreement created a win-win situation for Malaysia and the US, as well as providing certainty to the business sector to penetrate the US market.

"That will increase or generate the economy of companies and also the country's economy," he said.

A similar tone was also voiced by Md Shah who described the agreement as providing benefits to both parties without tarnishing the country's dignity after being given an explanation by MITI.

"As someone who served in command for 22 years, I do not see our country's sovereignty being compromised through the explanation given," he said.

Earlier, a detailed briefing on ART by the deputy secretary-general (trade) of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Mastura Ahmad Mustafa was held for more than an hour at MITI Tower, here.

Malaysia and the US signed the ART on October 26 during the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Through the signing of ART, the average tariff rate on the country was reduced from 25 per cent to 19 per cent as well as wider market access for the country's main exports.

-- BERNAMA