KUALA LUMPUR: The government has urged local manufacturing companies to take heed of the final destination of goods exported to foreign countries to avoid being affected by the sanctions imposed by the United States (US) on Russia. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stressed that although Malaysia does not adopt the unilateral sanctions imposed by the US on Russia, which were not decided by the United Nations, the country does not want to bear any consequences if there is non-compliance.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad warned of the potential ramifications of non-compliance, stating that America might act unpredictably and impose secondary sanctions on Malaysia. He emphasized the importance of avoiding stringent actions from the US that could put Malaysia in a tough situation.

He addressed this issue while responding to a supplementary question from Suhaizan Kaiat (PN-Pulai) in the Dewan Rakyat concerning the impact of Malaysia’s participation in BRICS. Mohamad also noted that he had receiv
ed a notice from the US regarding sanctions on several companies in Malaysia, clarifying that three of the six companies mentioned were trading companies, not manufacturing ones.

Mohamad further explained that these three companies could still face charges under the Customs Act 1967 for making false declarations about their goods and country of origin. He reassured that Malaysia’s acceptance as a BRICS partner country would not alter its role in any global intergovernmental coalition.

He expressed optimism about Malaysia’s expanded role, particularly in the economic sphere, following the recent BRICS summit in Kazan and mentioned his communication with his Russian counterpart as the BRICS chairman.