normanfernandez

REMEMBER THE IMPORTANCE OF UNITED STATES TO MALAYSIA.

Thank God good sense prevailed when Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ticked off Khairy Jamaluddin and UMNO Youth’s for talking big in calling for boycott of United States products.

Lest it is forgotten, those having the warped idea of calling for a boycott may well worth to be reminded that United States is Malaysia’s largest trading partner and the largest foreign investor in Malaysia. In 2005 Malaysia-United States trade was valued at US $ 44 Billion with U.S imports from Malaysia standing at almost US$ 34 Billion. This by itself should be a sobering reminder of the importance of maintaining and even forging good relations with United States.

United States companies are also engaged in manufacturing of semiconductors and other electronic/computer products and also in oil, gas and petrochemical sectors, all providing Malaysians with employment. Even Mc Donald’s Restaurant and Coca-Cola the potent symbols of Americanism provides employment to thousands of Malay-Muslims.

Adding to this are the technical trainings, scholarships and grants preferential treatments and other assistance provided to Malaysia by United States. “The action to boycott can backfire on Malaysia” said Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Rightly said particularly when remembering that one George Soros singularly was capable of bringing Malaysia to its knees.

Bravado and brinkmanship, naturally has its limits.

NORMAN FERNANDEZ
anfalaw@streamyx.com