THREE government MPs, namely Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (Pandan), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa) and Wong Chen (Subang), have called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to be formed to investigate all matters relating to the Malaysia-United States (US) Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART).
In a joint statement today, they said the investigation would specifically focus on the issue of Malaysia being ‘forced’ to negotiate the trade agreement.
They also demanded an explanation as to why Malaysia chose an agreement and not just a memorandum of understanding (MoU) or framework.
“We believe that the RCI will help restore and enhance public accountability in this controversial issue.
“The RCI should also be tasked with proposing a stronger governance structure, early consultation mechanisms, and checks and balances with a view to improving the trade negotiation process in the future,” they said.
The statement added that after extensive research and discussion, they are convinced that the agreement is highly biased and in favour of the US.
At the same time, they also noted that the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Liew Chin Tong, in a public forum on November 3, stated that Malaysia had been forced to enter into these negotiations and that it was not an equal partnership.
“Furthermore, we are convinced, based on official feedback and the lack of clarity in the agreement text, that the signing of this agreement was made without a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis and without adequate public consultation,” they said.
In the same statement, they also urged the Madani Government to appoint international trade lawyers and competent external experts to begin the process of amending the agreement articles that are more burdensome in terms of national sovereignty.
They said the lawyers should be appointed to clarify and advise on all articles relating to the definition, scope, responsibilities and enforcement of the agreement.
“(The lawyers should also be appointed to) conduct a legal matrix study on the potential impact of market access from this agreement on existing FTAs and multilateral agreements including but not limited to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA),” he said.
The statement also urged the Madani Government to establish a special team consisting of international trade experts including economists to conduct a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis on the agreement.
In addition, the government was also urged to establish a high-level foreign policy advisory team on the geopolitical impact and implications of the agreement on Malaysia's foreign and international trade policies and report on the matter to Parliament. – November 13, 2025
