KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia does not interfere in the business dealings of global companies with other countries, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said in response to calls to expel arms providers to Israel from an ongoing defence exhibition here.
“As a free trade country that gives space to all global industry players to market their products and services, Malaysia takes the approach of not interfering in global companies’ business dealings with any particular country.
“The relationship of some global defence companies with certain countries is a business matter that Malaysia will not interfere with,” he said in a statement.
Khaled said he was aware of calls by various quarters for the government to remove the participation of weapon makers like Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Aim Point, Colt and others who are currently exhibiting their wares at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (Natsec) Asia 2024 exhibition.
“No procurement will be made without taking into account Malaysia’s global position on the Palestine-Israel conflict as well as Malaysia’s interests,” he added.
The defence show is being held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec).
Among those who have issued statements against these firms’ participation are former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Bersatu figures and youth-based party Muda.
Khaled said the exhibition “does not favour or give advantage to any particular country or company” and is open to all countries and industry players.
“There is also large participation from Islamic countries such as the Republic of Turkey, the Republic of Indonesia, the UAE, Iran, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Pakistan,” he said.
He also said DSA and Natsec Asia 2024 are organised by private parties who fully bear the cost.
“The Malaysian government did not incur any expenses in organising it.”
Khaled also reiterated the ministry’s support for national policy against all forms of injustice against the Palestinian state.
There were calls on social media in the run-up to the first day of the exhibition yesterday slamming Putrajaya for allowing arms makers that have provided missiles, aircraft, and others to Israel – which has been waging a war in Gaza since October.
The war has disproportionately killed more Palestinians, at over 34,000, and about 1,200 Israelis.
In a statement yesterday, Dr Mahathir said the government should immediately expel arms manufacturers who are complicit in the ongoing genocide against Palestinians, singling out Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.
“Their presence in Malaysia at the invitation of DSA and Natsec Asia 2024 with the cooperation of the Defence Ministry is extremely annoying and insulting to the struggle of the Palestinian people and the support of the Malaysian people who oppose the genocide being carried out in Gaza,” Dr Mahathir said.
Previously during Dr Mahathir’s first administration, the Royal Malaysian Air Force purchased 28 BAE Hawk fighter jets in 1990 from the United Kingdom, and the aircraft were delivered by 1996. – May 7, 2024