Developing nations will not tolerate unfair treatment by Europe, says Anwar

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has warned that developing countries may seek alternative partners if European nations continue to treat them unfairly, citing Malaysia’s defence-related dispute with Norway.

He said Malaysia had paid 95% of the contract value for a naval strike missile system, but was given no satisfactory explanation for Norway’s decision to cancel the export licence despite repeated efforts to seek clarification.

“If this is how European nations treat us, and the others are completely mute and silent, then we will have to seek alternatives and not deal with them,” Bernama reported him as saying in an exclusive interview with Russian television network RT.

The Norwegian government reportedly revoked the export licence in March, just days before the scheduled delivery, citing tighter export controls on sensitive military technologies.

Defence minister Khaled Nordin said on June 2 that the unilateral decision had caused Malaysia direct losses exceeding RM600 million, while indirect costs could surpass RM1 billion.

Anwar stressed that Malaysia had honoured its contractual obligations.

“This is total nonsense. To me, it’s unacceptable and pathetic for a country like Norway, having had excellent relations with us in the past, to make a decision with no explanation,” he said.

He said he had spoken to Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who was apologetic but cited security concerns as the reason for the decision.

He said Malaysia had also sent representatives to the US to seek clarification and was informed that Washington was not involved.

“So you see that they have treated us like a banana republic or something like that. Clearly arrogance on their part. We have strongly protested and it’s not going to end,” he said.

Contrasting the episode with Malaysia’s dealings with Russia, Anwar said Moscow had honoured its commitments despite challenges arising from sanctions and restrictions affecting payment systems.

“Russia has honoured all commitments, however difficult. We have not found any breach. That is a fact, contrary to all this massive Western propaganda against Russia. I do not share their view,” he said.

Anwar said Malaysia also sees significant untapped potential in its economic cooperation with Russia, even though the US is Malaysia’s number one trading and investment partner and trade with China has grown significantly.

“From digital technologies and artificial intelligence to cybersecurity and modern agriculture, these are all areas that we need to explore,” he said, adding that he was extremely thankful to Russian president Vladimir Putin for his support.