Dr M won't budge on Kashmir comments despite Indian oil palm boycott threat

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today maintained that he will not retract comments he made about India's handling of the Kashmir and Jammu region conflict despite a threat of a boycott on Malaysian palm oil by India.

"We speak out our mind and we don't retract and change," he told journalists at the Parliament lobby today.

Mahathir was asked if he would retract and apologise for his statement made at the UN General Assembly last month where he urged India to abide by the UN resolution on the region, which, in turn, raised anger in India.

"Despite the UN resolution on Jammu and Kashmir, the country has been invaded and occupied. There may be reasons for this action but it is still wrong.

"The problem must be solved by peaceful means. India should work with Pakistan to resolve this problem. Ignoring the UN would lead to other forms of disregard for the UN and the rule of law," he had said.

The UN has long called for military personnel in the disputed region to be kept to a minimal but India in August stripped the special status of the Indian-administered Kashmir which it had granted autonomy.

India subsequently deployed tens of thousands of troops to place the area under lockdown to prevent a reaction from the Muslim-majority community there.

Both India and Pakistan claim control over all of Kashmir of Jammu but each only has partial control leading to an effective partition of the region.

Mahathir said his call to abide by the UN is not only for India.

"All we are saying is that we should all abide. Not just India, not just Pakistan, but even the US and other countries should abide by the resolution of the UN.

"Otherwise, what is the good of having the UN?" he said.

Last week, Reuters reported that Indian refiners have stopped buying Malaysian palm oil in anticipation of curbs to be imposed by the Indian government, including duty hikes.

No official announcement has been made by New Delhi.

However, the Mumbai-based Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) of India yesterday called a boycott of Malaysian palm oil.

Mahathir said as a trading nation, Malaysia would always try to maintain friendly relations but must speak up when necessary.

"Sometimes, we have to have strained relationships but we want to be friendly with people. Malaysia is a trading nation, we need markets, so we are nice to people but we also have to speak up for people sometimes.

"What we say is liked by some, by disliked by others," he said.

For now, Mahathir said Malaysia will communicate with the trade group calling for the boycott as it is not coming directly from the Indian government.

"This is not the Indian government so we will have to find how we can deal and communicate with these people.

"Because we are a trading nation and it is bad to have what amounts to a trade war," he said. - Mkini