Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia is concerned about India’s new curbs on imports of palm oil after a diplomatic row, said Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday, but indicated he would continue to speak out against “wrong things” even if it costs his country financially.
India, the world’s biggest buyer of edible oils, last week changed rules that traders say effectively ban imports of refined palm oil from Malaysia, the world’s second-biggest producer and exporter of palm oil after Indonesia. The move came after New Delhi objected to Mahathir’s criticism of India’s new religion-based citizenship law. The 94-year-old premier, whose outspoken nature has soured ties with both India and Saudi Arabia in recent months, earlier accused India of invading Kashmir.
As Malaysian palm refiners stare at a massive loss of business, Mahathir said his government would find a solution.–Reuters
