Dr M stands firm on Kashmir remarks
The prime minister says all countries should abide by the UN resolution on Kashmir.
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today maintained his stance on the Kashmir conflict despite calls by some in India for a boycott of Malaysian goods.
He added that all countries including India, Pakistan and the US should abide by the United Nations (UN) resolution on Jammu and Kashmir.
“We speak our minds and we don’t retract and change,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here.
The Indian government had on Aug 5 revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s legally autonomous status and imposed several unprecedented security measures, including cutting off internet and phone services, to prevent protests in the region.
Mahathir, in his speech at the 74th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Sept 28, said that “despite the UN resolution on Kashmir and Jammu, the country has been invaded and occupied”. He also called on India to “work with Pakistan to resolve the problem”.
His comments sparked an online backlash with Indian social media users calling for a boycott of Malaysia.
Recent reports say India might review its imports of palm oil and other products, while an Indian trade organisation advised its members yesterday not to buy palm oil from Malaysia.
Mahathir said the government would study the effects of a boycott but added that it would take no further action for now.
“Sometimes we have to have a strained relationship, but we want to be friendly with people,” he said.
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“Malaysia is a trading nation and we need the markets, so we are nice to people. But we also have to speak up for others, so sometimes what we say is liked by some and disliked by others.”