Bumiputera Rights Protected Under ART Pact, Says Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Bumiputera rights remained a firm red line throughout negotiations on the Malaysia-United States Agreement on Reciprocal Tariffs (ART), Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said.

He said those rights were not compromised in the pact.

“I challenge anyone making such claims to point to a clause that grants US companies Bumiputera status under the ART,” he told reporters after briefing the Parliament’s Special Caucus on the Malaysia-US ART, today.

He was responding to allegations by some quarters that the agreement conferred Bumiputera status on American firms.

Tengku Zafrul also rejected suggestions that the ART undermined national sovereignty.

He said both governments underscored shared values in the agreement, including a commitment to sovereignty, economic prosperity and resilient supply chains.

“This means both sides remain committed to upholding their respective sovereignty, supported by a strong and enduring bilateral economic relationship.

“When reviewing the agreement, it must be read in full. Every clause needs to be considered in the context of maintaining each country’s sovereignty, which is why the document should not be read in isolation,” he added.

-- BERNAMA