Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
"During past years, Malaysia’s
leadership criticised the US foreign policy. But that same leadership welcomed
US investment in Malaysia.
<P>"Now, under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi, I see an expansion of the relationship between our two great nations,"
said US Ambassador to Malaysia Christopher J. LaFleur (picture).</P><P>He was
answering a question from the floor after speaking to students and lecturers of
Universiti Putra Malaysia at its Faculty of Human Ecology.</P><P>The George W.
Bush administration hoped the improving relations would be a catalyst for the
successful completion of talks for a free trade agreement between the two countries.</P><P>But,
said LaFleur, time was running out. Bush had been given fast-track authority by
the US Congress for the FTA talks, meaning that Congress would only vote "aye"
or "nay" when the agreement was tabled before the two Houses. All agreements
have to be tabled in Congress for approval. And Congress has the power to demand
amendments to any agreement negotiated by the President’s administration.</P><P>But
under the fast-track authority Bush has been given, any agreement will either
go through without amendments or be rejected outright. The catch is that the fast-track
authority runs out in June.</P><P>"Congress has to be informed at least 90
days in advance of any agreement so we would have to work out the FTA by next
month," said LaFleur.</P><P>Representatives of both governments recently
concluded the fifth round of talks on the FTA. And LaFleur, a 34-year veteran
in the foreign service, believed it was now just up to the leadership of the two
nations to iron out the details of the agreement.</P><P>"It’s too early
to tell when the next meeting will occur. But although time is running out, I
think it is realistic to say that it can be done. The potential is there and I
hope we can."</P><P>LaFleur said it would be beneficial for Malaysia to agree
to the FTA.</P><P>"The FTA will put Malaysia in a unique position in the
region. The only other country with which the US has an FTA in Southeast Asia
is Singapore, and Malaysia’s key industries are different from Singapore’s,"
he said.</P><P>In his remarks, LaFleur said Malaysia and the US have had economic
and trade relations for the past 50 years.</P><P>"In fact, the company now
known as Exxon Mobil has been in the country for more than a century. Malaysia
is the United States’ 10th largest trading partner, even bigger than Italy,
Brazil, India and Thailand.</P><P>"Militarily, we have had close relations,
as Malaysian soldiers train in the US and vice versa, and joint exercises are
held from time to time.</P><P>"The US supported Malaysia during the Confrontation
and Malaysia supported us during the Vietnam War by sending military officers
to train our troops over there," he said.</P><P>Asked by a doctorate student
whether the US would sanction Malaysia if the latter were to "go nuclear",
as with Iran, LaFleur said there was a difference between nuclear power for energy
and nuclear weapons, so the US would support any move by Malaysia for nuclear
energy.</P><P>Asked why the US seemed to be targeting the Islamic world for aggression,
as in the case of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, LaFleur said this was
not so.</P><P>"There is confusion about US policy vis-a-vis Islam and certain
countries which happen to be Islamic. Islam is the fastest-growing religion in
the US and we have nothing against it.</P><P>"We are criticised over what
we did in Iraq, but it was nothing to do with Islam. In fact, in another instance
when we acted without United Nations mandate, in the Balkans, we were defending
Muslims. No one criticised us then."</P><P><I>Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Wednesday/National/20070228095301/Article/index_html</I>
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