KUALA LUMPUR – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad demanded the immediate expulsion of arms manufacturing companies complicit in the ongoing genocide of Palestinians from Malaysian soil, despite the array of multimillion ringgit deals made with them during his first spell as prime minister.
Dr Mahathir’s call comes in the wake of their participation in the Defence Services Asia (DSA) and National Security (Natsec) Asia 2024 exhibitions currently being held in the country.
The statement singled out two major companies, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems, as significant suppliers of weaponry to the Zionist regime, facilitating attacks and bombings on Palestinian civilians since October 7 last year.
Dr Mahathir expressed deep dismay at the presence of these companies in Malaysia, particularly under the auspices of DSA and Natsec Asia 2024, in collaboration with the Defence Ministry.
“Their presence in Malaysia at the invitation of DSA and Natsec Asia 2024 with the cooperation of the Defence Ministry is extremely annoying and insulting to the struggle of the Palestinian people and the support of the Malaysian people who oppose the genocide being carried out in Gaza,” he said in a statement today.
However, for the record, during Dr Mahathir’s first administration, the Royal Malaysian Air Force purchased 28 BAE Hawk fighter jets in 1990 from the United Kingdom, and the aircraft were delivered by 1996.
The remaining eight jets still operating are estimated to be worth RM440 million, based on a report last year.
While acknowledging that these companies had attended previous events, Dr Mahathir emphasised the unprecedented severity of the current situation, describing the Zionist genocide against Palestinians as exceptionally brutal and “without any hint of humanity”.
He condemned the participation of such companies as a mockery of Malaysia’s efforts to oppose the atrocities perpetrated by the Israeli regime, asserting that it portrayed Malaysia as complicit in the shedding of Palestinian blood, including that of infants, children and other civilians.
Calling for decisive action, Dr Mahathir urged the Malaysian government and the Defence Ministry to swiftly expel these companies from the country.
He emphasised that this action should not be limited to Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems but should extend to any other companies currently supplying arms to Israel. – May 6, 2024