
Ramasamy: What's PMX give-away as Bumi policy stands in the way of Malaysia's US tariff negotiation?
The US imposition of 25% tariffs (from 24% previously) on Malaysian exports seems invariably related to the imposition of 30% Bumiputera equity on foreign firms, the nature of the halal industry – and not least – the prevention of foreign equity in the gas and petroleum industry.
While Anwar talks tough about not diluting the Bumiputera stake in the country – calling it the 'red lines' – the government at the same time wants to engage the US amicably and diplomatically to reduce tariffs.
I was informed by some Malaysian former diplomats that Anwar has the peculiar habit of talking tough and using non-compromising language when addressing the local audience, particularly the Malay segment of the population.
To the Malays, he wants to be seen as a champion of their political and economic interests, especially through the manifestation of pro-Bumiputera policies.
In other words, Anwar – despite his awareness of what is wrong with some of the Bumiputera policies – is not prepared to confront them or to come up with better national policies that will benefit all segments of the population.
It doesn't take rocket science to know that the pro-Bumiputera policies have essentially benefitted the Malay elite as opposed to the man-0n-the-street Malays in the administrative and political sectors.
Limited bargaining power
By focusing on political expediency and survival, Anwar lacks the courage and wisdom to confront the political, social and economic realities in the country.
He is so afraid that any attempt to critically examine the special privileges of the Bumiputera might be construed as a zero-sum game – the loss of the Bumiputera and the gain of the economically vibrant non-Malays in the country.
Whether Anwar is going to tamper with the privileges of the Bumiputera must not be judged by his political rhetoric but rather by what Malaysia is going to give away in exchange for reduced tariffs.
I would certainly think that there is a serious mismatch between what is said by Anwar and what Malaysia is going to concede to the US in the tariff talks.
Anwar should not behave as though he is anti-US – he is far from it. He certainly lacks the courage and determination of twice former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Just remember how Dr Mahathir opposed the IMF (International Monetary Fund) policies during the country's financial crisis in the 1990s.
While Anwar was prepared to go along with the dictates of the IMF, Dr Mahathir sought to confront them.
It is the same Anwar who now wants to take a tough stand in protecting the rights of Bumiputera but in the on-going tariff negotiations with the US, he might be much more subdued with the potential to negatively affect the country's economy. – July 21, 2025
Former DAP stalwart and Penang chief minister II Prof Ramasamy Palanisamy is chairman of the United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) interim council.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image credit: Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Malaysiakini
38 minutes ago
- Malaysiakini
Analysts: Teoh's case may dent Harapan's image, but not overall support
An academic believed that while Teoh Beck Hock's case may dent Pakatan Harapan's image to a certain extent, it would not affect the overall support enjoyed by the coalition among its supporters. Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Mazlan Ali said Beng Hock's case has a sentimental connection to the Chinese community, given how DAP and Harapan used it as political mileage when criticising the previous BN administration. 'This issue holds significant sentimental value to the...

Barnama
38 minutes ago
- Barnama
Malaysia's Straits Orthopaedics Acquires US Firm Medin Technologies
BUSINESS KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- Straits Orthopaedics (Mfg) Sdn Bhd (Straits), a Malaysian-based contract manufacturer specialising in orthopaedic implants and surgical instruments, has acquired Medin Technologies Inc (Medin). In a statement, Straits said the strategic acquisition marked a significant milestone in the company's global expansion efforts and strengthens its ability to offer integrated solutions to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide. With over two decades of experience serving the global orthopaedic market, this acquisition positions Straits to deliver a broader and more cohesive range of manufacturing capabilities. Straits Chief Executive Officer, Scott Gareiss said Medin's expertise in design, vertical integration, and quality control complements the company's existing offerings. 'The addition of Medin's case and tray product lines expands our capabilities in supporting joint replacement, trauma, extremities, spine, power equipment, and more,' he added. Medin General Manager, Hans de Waal welcomed the acquisition, noting that the company has been a key player in the orthopaedic market since 1979. 'Joining Straits enables Medin to provide comprehensive solutions across multiple segments as a global contract manufacturing organisation (CMO), including fully kitted instrument sets ready for distribution,' he said. A United States (US)-based manufacturer of sterilisation cases and trays for the orthopaedic sector, Medin operates two manufacturing facilities in Totowa, New Jersey, and Manchester, New Hampshire. Meanwhile, Quadria Capital Partner and Straits Board Director, Ewan Davis said the acquisition is in line with the firm's commitment to enhancing Straits' global footprint and driving greater patient impact.

The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Taiwan's opposition protests ahead of recall vote
A man shows a thumbs-up while riding a scooter past a rally against the recall campaign, ahead of Saturday's recall vote for lawmakers, in Taipei, Taiwan July 25, 2025. - Reuters TAIPEI: Taiwan's main opposition will protest Friday (July 25) ahead of unprecedented recall elections targetting its lawmakers that could tip the balance of power to President Lai Ching-te's party. Supporters of Lai's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are seeking to unseat 31 Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers whom they accuse of being pro-China. The KMT, which advocates closer ties with Beijing, controls parliament with the help of the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) and has slammed the recall effort as undermining the self-ruled island's democracy. Two dozen KMT lawmakers could lose their seats on Saturday in a legal process that allows the public to oust elected officials before the end of their term. Another seven face recall elections on August 23. Started by civic groups this year, the recall campaigns have dominated Taiwanese politics, newspaper headlines and social media feeds for months. The DPP lost its parliamentary majority in the 2024 elections that swept Lai, who is detested by Beijing, to the presidency. Since then, the KMT and TPP have joined forces to stymie Lai's agenda and cut the government's budget. A series of opposition bills, including reforms expanding parliament's powers, sparked brawls in the legislature and massive street protests last year. The DPP needs a minimum of 12 KMT lawmakers to be recalled to give it a "short-lived legislative majority", risk analysis firm Eurasia Group said, giving that outcome "a 60 per cent probability". Lai's party would then need to flip six seats in by-elections later this year to secure control of the 113-seat parliament, which Eurasia Group said would be an "uphill climb". If it succeeds, the DPP would likely use its temporary control of the purse strings to reverse the opposition's budget cuts and increase defence spending, analysts said. The scale of the recall campaign was "unprecedented" in Taiwan, Dafydd Fell, an expert on Taiwan politics at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies, told AFP. It reflected the "strengths of Taiwanese civil society, which has responded to what it perceives as a serious threat to Taiwan's democracy and sovereignty," he said. For a KMT lawmaker to lose their seat, the number of votes in favour of recalling them must exceed those against and also be more than 25 per cent of the total number of registered voters in the electorate. A KMT bid to have 15 DPP lawmakers recalled failed. With turnout critical, DPP supporters have been standing outside subway stations, in public parks and at food markets for weeks urging people to vote "yes". Thousands of people gathered in the rain near the Presidential Office Building on Thursday in a show of support for the recalls. KMT legislators fighting for their political lives have also taken to the streets to persuade voters to oppose the recall. Their supporters are expected to be out in force on Friday night for a final protest before polling stations open. With many recall votes happening in KMT strongholds, Fell said it would be difficult for the DPP to win control of the parliament. "Even if some of the KMT legislators are recalled, other KMT politicians might win the seats back in the resulting by-elections," he said. National Taipei University political scientist Liu Chia-wei said the vote had become an "ideological duel" between the DPP and KMT. Public opinion on the recalls is divided. Aaron Yu, 32, said he supported the campaign because "most of the bills passed by KMT lawmakers are pro-China". But restaurant worker Sharon Chen criticised it as a waste of money, saying voters had already made their decisions in last year's elections. "Just because a certain party lost, they can't accept the result and now want to recall someone the people chose, I think that's just senseless," the 65-year-old said. - AFP