Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has intensified his confrontation with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim by accusing him of undermining Malaysia’s sovereignty through the recently signed Agreement of Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the United States. The former prime minister, who once mentored Anwar, described the deal as unconstitutional and claimed it places Malaysia at a disadvantage.
The ART, jointly signed by Anwar and US President Donald Trump on October 26, is intended to expand bilateral trade, recalibrate tariffs, and deepen economic cooperation between the two nations. However, Mahathir has characterised the agreement as one-sided and detrimental, alleging that it effectively compromises Malaysia’s ability to exercise independent decision-making.
His criticism is not new. Earlier in November, he had urged Anwar to step down, asserting that the government’s actions were eroding national sovereignty. In his latest move, Mahathir lodged a police report in Putrajaya, signalling a more aggressive attempt to challenge Anwar’s legitimacy and direction.
Mahathir argued that the ART was signed without the approval of key constitutional bodies. He insisted that any agreement of such scale should carry the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Dewan Rakyat, the Conference of Rulers, and the executive branch. In his view, bypassing these entities renders the agreement invalid.
He also raised concerns about the opacity of the 400-page document, stating that the public has not been given access to it. According to him, several provisions allegedly transfer decision-making powers to the US, including requirements that Malaysia consult Washington on certain actions and adhere to conditions that he claims limit national autonomy.
Mahathir further argued that the agreement jeopardises the position of Bumiputera rights by preventing Malaysia from applying Bumiputera-based advantages to trade involving American goods or companies. He interpreted this as a situation where any preferential treatment for Bumiputera would have to be extended equally to US entities, which he said undermines long-standing constitutional protections.
This latest clash adds a fresh chapter to Mahathir’s long history of political battles. He has previously played a role in the downfall of multiple successors, yet has not been successful in removing Anwar from power. Whether this attempt will change that dynamic remains uncertain.
Public reactions appear divided, with supporters and critics entrenched along political lines. Some view Mahathir’s actions as a principled stand, while others see them as an effort to stay relevant in a rapidly shifting political landscape.
For now, Mahathir’s police report has reignited tensions and heightened public scrutiny of the ART. Whether this momentum will translate into genuine political consequences for the Madani Government or fade as another episode in Malaysia’s long-running political rivalry remains in the hands of the electorate.
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