Malaysia and South Korea boost trade, green tech & defence ties
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed the progress following a meeting with South Korean President's Special Envoy Kim Young Choon.
'Alhamdulillah, both countries continue to agree to expand cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, green transition, digital and defence,' Anwar stated in a Facebook post.
South Korea remains a key economic partner, ranking as Malaysia's eighth-largest trading partner with bilateral trade reaching US$23.94 billion (RM113 billion) in 2023.
Discussions also covered finalising a free trade agreement and a defence industry memorandum of understanding by October.
Both nations are coordinating for the 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, where Malaysia has pledged support for Seoul's leadership in advancing regional economic agendas.
Anwar further invited South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October, reinforcing Malaysia's commitment to fostering long-term regional stability and growth. – Bernama
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'Don't slam DAP but ask if DAP leaves Madani gov't, will Beng Hock's real killers face justice?'
MANY people are hurling abuse at DAP over the Teoh Beng Hock case when their anger should instead be directed against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, UMNO and the Malay Deep State. They are the ones holding real power and protecting the culprits behind the death of the political aide to then Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah. In contrast, DAP lacks power to force this issue. Their only 'trump card' is to threaten to leave the Madani government unless justice is done. Let's call this the 'nuclear war option'. Like a Chinese kung fu movie, it's emotionally satisfying to overturn the table at Putrajaya and storm the hell out. Unfortunately, life is not a movie. We have to ask, 'what happens after'? Will Anwar then bring in PAS or Bersatu to bolster his support? Will we then move into a totally Malay-dominated government that slides towards an Islamic State? After all, Mr Madani seems more interested in holding on to power rather than pursuing real reforms. And then passing on the reins to his daughter. In fact, Anwar had admitted in October 2023 that he invited PAS to join his government when it was formed. Racial battle? Even if DAP leaves Putrajaya, will the real killers of Teoh then face justice? I doubt it because the optics will be bad. It will look like Chinese politicians demanding a U-turn from the police and Malay-dominated establishment. It will become a Chinese vs Malay battle with 'warriors' like Dr Chicken Ham and Holy Hardy taking advantage to score political points. They will rush to defend the police from the kurang ajar Chinese. We all know how the drama script works. Take what happened when Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing did a spot check at KLIA in June 2023 after receiving complaints of Immigration officers allegedly extorting China visitors . UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh then accused him of 'abusing' his power and 'interfering' with Immigration officials. Akmal was also reported to demand that the Bintulu MP be stripped of his citizenshi p. Can you beat that? Exposing corruption is deemed to be an 'abuse' of power! This reflects the mindset of the Malay Deep State that disparages an 'uppity' Chinese Minister trying to kacau 'rice bowls', never mind if they were halal or not. Tiong was brave but no Immigration officer was caught. Instead, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) pinned the blame for the extortion on a mysterious 'external agent' who had conveniently disappeared. Tan Sri Nazir Razak, the better and smarter brother of incarcerated former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak, lamented in October 2022 that a three-headed monster plagues Malaysia. These are racial politics, over-centralisation of power and corruption that has become like 'stage four cancer '. Cover up? Of course, the Attorney-General decision of 'no further action (NFA)' over Beng Hock's case stinks of a cover up. After all, a 2011 Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) ruled that he was driven to suicide by aggressive interrogation. In 2014, the Court of Appeal ruled his death was caused or by unlawful act s, including by MACC officers. Democracy watchdog BERSIH has rightly slammed MACC's public apology and offer of compensation for Teoh's death as a whitewash of criminal responsibility . Yet don't forget lots of other pungent cases remain unsolved including the alleged abductions of Pamela Ling, Pastor Raymond Koh and Shia activist Amri Che Mat. And of course, we still haven't caught the real masterminds who ordered the Mongolian murder. Besides these high-profile cases, many have forgotten that 70 people died in police custody between 2021 and 2022? In addition, Tenaganita revealed that 150 people died in 2022 while locked up by the Immigration Department . Bowing in sorrow People have every right to be angry at the dashed promises of reform under the Madani government. But who holds real power in Putrajaya? DAP knows all this, that's probably why they tried a compromise solution – bowing down to Beng Hock's family and urging them to consider taking MACC's goodwill payment It was probably the 'best deal' they could negotiate with the unrepentant and unaccountable Deep State. But they were condemned for 'white-washing' the case they had championed for 16 years. The Teoh family angrily rejected the payment. It looked like a PR stunt that badly backfired. But later, Beng Hock's parents, sister and members of the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement solemnly bowed down during a memorial service on July 20 to reciprocate DAP's gesture . Maybe they recognised that DAP had done what they could, short of leaving Madani? DAP – Dilemma Action Party If DAP does walk out of the Madani government, I am sure many will then condemn them for 'betraying' the voters' mandate and 'abandoning' their supporters. In short, people will always find fault whether the party remains in or out of Putrajaya. DAP is really a Dilemma Action Party caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. Its secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook and other DAP leaders don't want confrontation. They want compromise while quietly getting stuff done – like allocations for Chinese schools and funding for the Penang LRT, both from Putrajaya. You can call all this 'appeasement' or 'sucking up' or use even more foul language. But DAP is still probably the best in work performance of all the Madani Ministers. However, DAP's 'softly, softly' strategy with the Establishment is not working. They are being slammed left and right as MCA 2.0 for its unwilling to 'rock the boat' while enjoying the cushy perks of Ministers' power. Yet Anwar is a damaged brand, now forced to buy some popularity with a RM100 payout and extra public holiday on Sept 15 . As he loses popularity, DAP must be careful not to be too closely associated – and tainted by – the Madani chameleon. Why stick too tightly to a ship that may sink? Why not establish some distance of 'plausible deniability'? – July 25, 2025 Forner The Star environment section editor Andrew Sia is a semi-retired journalist and columnist for Malaysiakini. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia . Main image credit: Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement/Facebook
