Source: News Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: The government is not selling of the country’s sovereignty to China, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.

Mah, who is also Gerakan president, said this on allegations by the opposition that the government had sold off the country for trade with China.

“When Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian said China wouldn’t impose upper limit on palm oil purchase, they said we are being controlled by China.

“When China invested in Malaysia, they said we are selling off our lands and our sovereignty.

“They criticised the investments from China,” he said.

The opposition had on many occasions alleged that the government was slowly selling off Malaysia’s land to China.

Mah said this in his speech at the Malaysia-China Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) 2018 Chinese New Year Celebration at the Federal Hotel today.

He said the government would strengthen the country’s ties with China, especially in bio-mass industry.

“We hope the trade between China and Malaysia will continue to improve. That day when they (trade representatives from China) came to my office, they openly announced that they will support our palm oil industry by buying more palm oil and palm oil products. There will be no restrictions.

“China has now overtaken India in becoming the second export destination for Malaysia. For palm oil and palm oil products, last year Malaysia exported RM9.42 billion worth to China, up 6.4 per cent compared to RM8.84 billion in 2016.

“On the other hand, China has overtaken the US (United States) and EU (European Union) to become the number one export destination for Malaysian rubber and rubber products, with RM8.1 billion worth in 2017, an incredible 70 per cent increase compared to RM4.8 billion in 2016,” he said.

Present at the event were MCCC president Tan Yew Sing, MCCC honourary president Datuk Seri Nazir Razak and Minister Counselor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia Chen Chen.