The Malaysian Insight (08/02/2018) - The EU is an important trading partner for Malaysia and it would hurt Malaysia more if the country were to stop trading with the EU.

“We should try and break away from the widely discredited mercantilism-based view of the world and embrace the reality that trade is mutually beneficial.  

“Exports are not necessarily better or worse than imports and both contribute to a country’s welfare when conducted on a free and fair basis,” the lead economist in the Economic Research and Regional Cooperation Department said. 

He said there are better ways to resolve disputes involving trade than imposing bans.

“Taking it up using the processes provided for by WTO (World Trade Organisation) should be the first consideration if there is a legitimate complaint to be addressed,” he said. 

Felda settlers, meanwhile, are more concerned about issues affecting them directly than the recent EU proposal, said settlers’ pressure group, Persatuan Anak Peneroka Felda Kebangsaan (Anak).

Its president Mazlan Aliman said their debts, plantation maintenance and management were more immediate concerns as settlers had managed to survive through other episodes when discriminatory policies on palm oil imports affected Malaysia’s export of the commodity.

“Settlers don’t really feel like they are affected by the proposal, most probably because they have experienced something similar. They are more affected by issues like their debts, maintenance and low income,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He added the government should still be prepared with proactive measures and not react only when anti-palm oil policies are announced.

Felda Jengka settler Andak Ahmad said: “From my observation, some settlers don’t really know or talk about such matters. Usually they will leave it to the Felda management to handle such issues.

“But I’m quite worried, because even now, Felda’s management is problematic,” he said, adding he was concerned about the trickle-down effects of the EU proposal.

“Surely we will feel the impact, we’ll have to wait and see, and I’m not sure if the Felda management can handle the matter.

“Because even now they are plagued with internal issues, the mismanagement that they themselves created,” he said. – February 8, 2018.

Read more at https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/36806/