Our commodities remain competitive even with tariffs, says Johari
The Plantation and Commodities Minister said this was because the tariff for Malaysia remains competitive compared to other Asean nations, including Indonesia, which also faces the same rate.
'The 19% tariff imposed by the United States on Malaysia is among the lowest in Asean countries, and even Indonesia, the world's largest palm oil producer, is subject to the same tariff rate.
'In the context of palm oil, Indonesia is the largest producer and we are number two. But Indonesia is also subject to 19% like Malaysia, so there is no problem,' he told reporters after the Pasir Gudang Umno division annual general meeting here.
On Aug 1, US President Donald Trump announced the 19% tariff for Malaysian goods entering the United States, down from an earlier rate of 25%.
The new tariff structure takes effect in seven days and applies to all goods with limited exceptions for shipments already in transit.
Besides Indonesia and Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia have also been slapped with a 19% tariff.
On an unrelated matter, Johari, who is also Umno vice-president, said the party needs to adopt a more progressive and inclusive mindset to stay relevant, particularly in reaching out to younger Malaysians.
He said youth engagement must be prioritised, since young voters are expected to make up 40% of the electorate across parliamentary constituencies in the 16th General Election (GE16).
'This is not a small number. Their thinking is different. Many are highly educated, with degrees, Master's and even PhDs.
'They evaluate candidates based on substance, not just party loyalty.
'To win the hearts of this group, we must think differently, act differently, and truly listen to what they want,' he said.
He added that the party must be willing to embrace reform and create space for new ideas, including those brought forward by younger members.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
10 minutes ago
- The Star
Malaysia to host 58th Asean Day celebration in Cyberjaya on Friday (Aug 8)
PUTRAJAYA: (Bernama) Malaysia will host the Asean Day Celebration in conjunction with the 58th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Friday (Aug 8). In a statement on Thursday (Aug 7), the Foreign Ministry said the celebration, themed "Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Asean Future', aligns with and reinforces Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability'. The event will be held at the Cyber Event Hall in Cyberjaya and is expected to gather over 700 guests from across the Asean community. "This year's celebration provides a timely opportunity to showcase Asean's progress and unity, while highlighting Malaysia's leadership in promoting a people-centred and forward-looking regional agenda,' the ministry said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to officiate the celebration. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will also be in attendance. The celebration will feature cultural performances by the National Department of Culture and Arts (Permata Seni), showcasing traditional folk dances and choir performances that reflect the region's cultural diversity. Asean Member States will also showcase their traditional arts, handicrafts and merchandise through national exhibition booths. The ministry said the celebration symbolises Asean's collective commitment to regional cooperation, solidarity and peace, and affirms Malaysia's commitment, as Asean Chair, to bring Asean closer to the people and to lead the region towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. - Bernama
New Straits Times
10 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by Cambodian PM
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's prime minister said he nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize on Thursday, crediting the US president with "visionary and innovative diplomacy" that ended border clashes with Thailand. Five days of hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand killed at least 43 people last month as a territorial dispute boiled over into cross-border combat. A truce began last week after phone calls from Trump, as well as mediation from Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – chair of the Asean regional bloc – and a delegation of Chinese negotiators. A letter from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet addressed to the Norwegian Nobel Committee said he wished to nominate Trump "in recognition of his historic contributions in advancing world peace." "President Trump's extraordinary statesmanship – marked by his commitment to resolving conflicts and preventing catastrophic wars through visionary and innovative diplomacy – was most recently demonstrated by his decisive role in brokering an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand," the letter said. "This timely intervention, which averted a potentially devastating conflict, was vital in preventing great loss of lives and paved the pay towards the restoration of peace." The Norwegian Nobel Committee does not publish the list of nominees for the prize. However, a list of candidates is set by Jan 31 and the announcement is generally made the following October. Tens of thousands of people can offer a nomination to the Nobel committee, including lawmakers, ministers, certain university professors, former laureates and members of the committee themselves. Mentioning the prestigious award has become a sign of diplomatic goodwill for some foreign leaders towards Trump, who has touted his deal-making credentials as a broker of global peace. Trump has already been nominated for the prize by Pakistan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Cambodia and Thailand were both facing eye-watering US tariffs on their exports when Trump intervened in the conflict, the deadliest to consume their border region in more than a decade. They secured reduced levies of 19 per cent last week, avoiding the high 36 per cent rate he had threatened both with. - AFP
New Straits Times
40 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Penang to host 19th Asean Navy Chiefs meeting from Aug 18 to 22
GEORGE TOWN: Penang will host the 19th Asean Navy Chiefs' Meeting (ANCM) from Aug 18 to 22, in conjunction with the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025. Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Western Fleet Commander, Vice-Admiral Datuk Baharuddin Wan Md Nor, said the ANCM is a crucial forum that brings together navy chiefs from all Asean countries to discuss aspects of security, peace, and stability in the region's seas. "A large portion of these Asean countries are closely linked to the maritime world, so issues of security and stability at sea are important. "In conjunction with the ANCM, several side events will also be held, along with Hari Buletin 4.0 at Padang Kota Lama on Aug 17, including the Asean Navies' City Parade (ANCP)," he said during a joint press conference with Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at Komtar here today. Baharuddin said the ANCP will feature a parade of contingents from Asean countries represented by sailors, and they are also collaborating with several associations and schools in Penang to liven up the event. He said the Asean Fleet Review will also be organised on Aug 21, and the Governor of Penang, Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, is scheduled to attend as the guest of honour to take the salute at the event. "This is another event full of traditional and military ceremonies, so we call on the local community, especially those in Penang and the surrounding states, to come and witness this historical and lively event," he said. Malaysia assumed the role of Asean Chairman 2025 with the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," symbolising its aspiration to guide this 58-year-old regional bloc toward a more united, dynamic, and sustainable future. Meanwhile, Chow said this year, Hari Buletin is being co-organised with the RMN as part of an effort to celebrate regional maritime unity in a spirit of goodwill and patriotism in conjunction with the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025. He said various interesting activities are planned, including the ANCP, which is held in conjunction with the Asean Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX) 2025, as well as performances and demonstrations by maritime fleets from Southeast Asian countries, including the Indonesian National Army (TNI) Navy, Royal Thai Navy, Myanmar Navy, and Vietnam Navy, as well as a silent drill performance and a performance by the RMN band. "The organisation of Hari Buletin aims to celebrate the readers of the state government's official newspaper, Buletin Mutiara, which serves as a platform for the people to get information on state government policies, community program summaries, and local news," he said.
