M'sians spooked by Pasir Gudang's legally naive "jual negara" drama

When Clowns Masquerade as MPs in Suits

By Mohamad Fakhzan Md Noor

Disclaimer: 

No, I’m not from Oxford or Cambridge — just ITM Law School Shah Alam. But my lecturer always reminded me: check the primary source.

What was signed—and what it is not (yet)

On 26 October 2025, the U.S. and Malaysia signed the “Agreement Between the United States of America and Malaysia on Reciprocal Trade.” 

It’s a legally binding agreement in international law, but it does not take effect immediately. The text itself says it only enters into force 60 days after both sides exchange written notices confirming completion of “applicable legal procedures.” 

Translation: each government still needs to run its own domestic steps before anything bites. Until those steps are certified and exchanged, nothing in the agreement is operative. 

If you want the one-line killer fact: Article 7.2 (Entry into Force) defers application until both sides certify their internal processes. That alone undercuts the “signed today, instantly binding tomorrow” talking point. 

The U.S. government’s own explainer repeats this—domestic procedures first, then entry into force. 

The need for economic literacy

On Budget Day last Friday, Member of Parliament for Bachok, Syahrir Sulaiman called the budget as limping or "tempang" in Malay. It can be misconstrued to also mean handicap, but its him expressing concern on the moderate growth that generate limited fiscal leeway for development. 

Yesterday, Opposition Leader, Hamzah Zainuddin created controversy with Perikatan Nasional counter offer for cash-aid of RM6,000 annually without restrictions and more free education programs. He raised other pertinent issues on the RM50.8 billion development expenditure by GLC and GLIC, lower Petronas dividend of RM20 billion, and somewhat in-sync with government concern on taxation, national revenue, etc. However, it is the cash-aid remark that attracted attention and suspected to be intended to viral. 

The math does not add up and criticised as populist rhetoric. Spending on STR and SARA for 2025 is RM15 billion and for 2026 budget is RM15 billion. Hamzah's plan means allocating  RM51.6 billion for the 8.6 million recipients!