Najib: Don’t take voters for granted
(The Star) – “His appeal to Americans who have been left behind – those who want to see their government more focused on their interests and welfare, and less embroiled in foreign interventions that proved to be against US interests – have won him the White House”
Malaysia is a firm ally and partner of the US in its fight against terrorism and extremism, which the Prime Minister hopes will continue under president-elect Donald Trump.
“I congratulate him on this extraordinary victory, and look forward to meeting him again soon,” said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He added that Trump had been considered an outsider when he first announced his candidacy but had gone on to prove his doubters wrong by winning the Republican nomination and now, the presidency.
“His success shows that politicians should never take voters for granted.
“His appeal to Americans who have been left behind – those who want to see their government more focused on their interests and welfare, and less embroiled in foreign interventions that proved to be against US interests – have won him the White House,” the Prime Minister said in a statement yesterday.
Ministers and MPs, meanwhile, are convinced that ties with the United States will remain strong.
But many wonder about the fate of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
Trump, also the star of reality TV show The Apprentice, has been vocal against the TPPA during his campaign.
Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Samad said he did not see much change in the relationship between Malaysia and the US as both countries had a strong relationship.
“It is not easy for the US president to put aside the interest of his country’s economy and businesses.
“We have to be careful and differentiate the rhetoric before the election and how the media has portrayed him,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby yesterday.
MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong questioned if the TPPA, which was supposed to have been put to a vote in the US Senate this year, would continue under Trump’s administration.
“We will see what happens next. During the campaign, they will say many things, among others, on the TPPA.
“Since our Parliament has passed this, we need to closely monitor the progress or else, whatever effort we spent over the past few years will be wasted,” he said.
Congratulating Trump, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam hoped that he would play a role in preserving global peace.
“The Americans have voted and made their decision. We have to respect that. Although many statements were made during the campaign, we hope some consideration will be taken after he’s elected,” he said.
Opposition DAP lawmaker Charles Santiago said the world was going into “uncharted waters,” especially in economic policies.
“We are going to have a global leader, a president, who is quite directionless. Nobody knows exactly where he is going to go,” he said.
PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar said Malaysia should be “extremely concerned” with developments in the US.
On the TPPA, she said Malaysia needed to ensure that measures were taken and how to mitigate these.
“I am deeply concerned that one of the oldest democracies in the world can give rise to someone like Trump,” she said. “It’s something all of us have to learn from.”
