Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has launched a scathing attack on the government’s recently signed trade pact with the United States, accusing current leaders of “handing over Malaysia’s independence” for temporary diplomatic approval and economic crumbs.
In a strongly worded blog post titled “Handing Over Our Independence”, Dr Mahathir said he never expected to see a Malaysian government willingly surrender the nation’s sovereignty in exchange for symbolic gestures and superficial benefits. He claimed the deal effectively places Malaysia under American influence in key areas of trade, technology, and natural resources, undermining decades of struggle for self-determination.
Dr Mahathir argued that the agreement was not a true partnership but a form of submission, alleging that Malaysia had allowed Washington to dictate terms in exchange for limited tariff relief. He warned that the country now faces a situation where its trade, digital policy, and industrial priorities are subject to foreign control.
The former premier recalled Malaysia’s post-independence efforts to assert economic autonomy, including the historic “Dawn Raid” on the London Stock Exchange and the “Buy British Last” campaign, both of which symbolized resistance against foreign dominance. He contrasted those moments of national pride with what he described as the current government’s willingness to obey the conditions set by a foreign power.
According to him, the trade agreement compels Malaysia to buy American aircraft, gas, and machinery, accept US-imposed digital regulations, and prioritize American access to its rare mineral resources. Mahathir described these obligations as “neo-colonialism in disguise,” claiming they strip Malaysia of its right to determine its own economic destiny.
He also criticized the inclusion of an exit clause, calling it meaningless. Once a deal so deeply entrenched is in effect, he said, it is unlikely that the United States would easily permit Malaysia to withdraw without facing political and economic retaliation. Mahathir further claimed that any reliance on such a clause only proves that the government failed to negotiate effectively in the first place.
The veteran statesman said what Malaysia now faces is a new form of imperialism—one that uses trade and technology agreements instead of armies and colonization. He urged the government to stop masking submission as cooperation, arguing that the deal amounts to selling national independence in an effort to please a foreign power that continues to support what he called acts of genocide in Palestine.
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