Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad says, 'We are too small to take action against India'

Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Monday, said that his country will t take retaliatory action against India after PM Modi government decided to boycott palm oil purchase from Souast Asian country. Malaysia is one of biggest producer and exporter of palm oil and India its largest importing partner, but New Delhi this month effectively halted imports in response to comments made by Mahathir on India's domestic policies. 

India-Malaysia palm oil crisis

94-year-old Malaysian Prime Minister while talking to reporters in Langkawi said, "We are too small to take retaliatory action, we have to find ways and means to tackle problem and overcome that." Mahathir had earlier criticised abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and controversial amended citizenship act (CAA). Mahathir was only one of two Head of States, excluding Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan, to speak on Kashmir in United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) last September. 

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India, that has been Malaysia's largest palm oil partner since 2014, but following Prime Minister Mahathir's comment, BJP-led government has decided to swiftly move towards Indonesia for its edible oil requirements. Malaysia's palm futures fell nearly 10% last week, ir biggest weekly decline in more than 11 years. According to media reports, India alone imported 23.9% of Malaysian palm oil in 2019, more than China and Pakistan combined.

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Reportedly, New Delhi is is unhappy over Malaysia's refusal to revoke permanent resident status to Indian Islamic preacher Zakir Naik. India had accused Zakir Naik of money laundering and hate speech before he fled country three years ago to go to Malaysia. Mahathir has said that even if Indian government agrees to conduct a free trial, Zakir Naik faces real threat of vigilante action. Mahathir furr added that Malaysia will only relocate preacher if it finds a third country where he would be safe. 

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