Our trade with Israel
FIVE years ago, the authorities pooh-poohed a front page report in this newspaper on Israeli ships calling at our ports.
A special investigation carried out by theSun revealed that a fleet of ships belonging to Gold Star Lines, a subsidiary of Israel’s Zim Lines, has been calling at the nation’s ports, including Port Klang since 1998.
Checks showed that Gold Star was incorporated in Hong Kong in 1958 to circumvent prohibitions placed by several Muslim countries, including Malaysia, which do not have diplomatic ties with Israel or recognise the state.
By setting up a shipping line with a different name, it gave the impression that it is operating from a neutral country – in this case Hong Kong. Other shipping lines that Zim is disguised as are Seven Stars Lines Corporation and Seth Shipping Corporation. It also partowns a company called Star Shipping Agencies.
But “we have no trade with Israel” came the “official” answer. International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed last year said there were ways for Malaysia-Israel trade to come about.
He said in a statement yesterday that based on the ministry’s observation, there were three modes of trade with Israel:
Through the normal global supply and value chain practice of multinational companies;
Products sent to Palestine through Israel;
Exports to Israel were not direct in nature but sent through third countries.
These trade and investment practices, he said, were beyond the Malaysian government’s control.
However, this week an Israeli newspaper trumpeted: “Malaysia favours Palestinians but buys from Israel.”
The Times wrote: “Total trade between the two countries in 2013 reached US$1.529 billion, almost double that of 2012, according to the CBS. That figure consists mostly of Israeli exports, at US$1.457 billion. Trade continues to accelerate: Between January and July this year, Israeli exports to Malaysia soared to US$884.7 million, a 27% jump over the same period last year.”
The newspaper quoted Ron Doron, an Israeli businessman with experience in Malaysia, as saying that “It’s only coming from the top that people are afraid.” Chemicals, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals are some of the most soughtafter items. Those with knowledge of the trade say products are scrubbed of all insignia that could disclose their place of manufacture.
So, with all the rhetoric on “Jewish conspiracies”; “ban on Israeli goods” and “boycott the oppressive regime”, trade is thriving and growing too.
What are the sloganeering politicians going to do about practising what they preach? Does lining the pockets of businessmen take precedence over a principle and policy which this country has been advocating locally and internationally?
What purpose does all the noise being made at the United Nations and other international forums serve when we are condoning the flourishing trade?
A RETIRED Royal Malaysian Navy admiral, who failed in his bid to become the secretary-general of Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM), has been put on the mat for alleged racism.
Datuk Danyal Balagopal has been suspended from all activities and programmes of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) with immediate effect.
He is said to have posted “disparaging remarks” on Arabs in a chat group comprising members of the committee in charge of security at the International Olympic Congress held in Kuala Lumpur.
In a strongly-worded letter to OCM President Tunku Imran Tuanku Jaafar, the director-general of the OCA, Husain Al-Musallam has taken umbrage and offence to the words used by Balagopal.
The remarks, Al-Mussallam said, were against the principle of the Olympic Charter which precludes discrimination of any kind – among others race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language and religion.
Al-Musallam noted that there were many Arab IOC members not only from Kuwait but Qatar, Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia who were present at the session and “such a statement is of extreme disrespect to the integrity of these individuals.”
Hopefully, Tunku Imran and his newly-elected board will act swiftly in finding a solution and providing the OCA with a plausible explanation which will placate the offended parties.
This issue could blow up into a diplomatic row if it is not properly addressed especially in view of Malaysia’s close links with the Middle East.
With Malaysia intricately connected with the Arab world through business and finance, it would be in the best interests to put an end to this issue. The matter is likely to extend beyond the boundaries of Asia and the IOC is known to be against all kinds of discrimination especially on race, where it has previously made strong stands on such issues.
These trade and investment practices were beyond the Malaysian government’s control. – Datuk Seri Mustapa
Mohamed