Malaysia Says Trade Spat With India Over Palm Oil Will Not Be Long

A MALAYSIAN minister yesterday said a boycott of the country’s palm oil by Indian traders will likely not be prolonged as there were not enough supplies from top producer Indonesia to cover the shortfall.

Indian traders have been told to stop buying palm oil from Malaysia, the second-biggest exporter of the commodity, after remarks by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Kashmir sparked anger in New Delhi.

Dr Mahathir told the United Nations General Assembly late last month that India had “invaded and occupied” Kashmir, a disputed Muslim-majority region also claimed by Pakistan.

The boycott of Malaysian palm oil is likely temporary as supplies from Indonesia alone are not enough to meet demand in India, Malaysia’s Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (picture) said. “We are confident that very soon, we will be able to resolve this matter effectively,” Reuters reported Azmin as saying.

Azmin also defended Dr Mahathir’s remarks, saying that Malaysia should be free to voice its opinions on international issues.

Dr Mahathir said he will not retract his comments despite the palm oil boycott.

India revoked the status of its Jammu and Kashmir state in August and yesterday moved to split the state into two territories.