KUALA LUMPUR: The Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill 2025 must fairly benefit Sarawak to safeguard the region’s trade needs, says Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim.
He said Sarawak has strategic downstream industries such as aluminium, steel, glass, fertiliser and electronics that are vulnerable to dumping, while major ports, such as in Bintulu, Kuching, and Miri, are often used as transit points to evade duties, requiring strong enforcement.
He added that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sarawak need technical support to leverage this law, in addition to establishing an official engagement mechanism with the Sarawak and Sabah Governments.
“Only with strict but transparent enforcement, fair consultation with the regions, and support for SMEs can these amendments truly provide comprehensive benefits,” he said.
He said this while debating the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill 2025 in the Dewan Negara today.
He also said that public interest analysis must also take into account the higher logistics costs in Sarawak and Sabah compared to Peninsular Malaysia.
Thus, he emphasised that this trade protection must be felt throughout Malaysia, including Sarawak and Sabah.
The Dewan Negara on Wednesday approved the Countervailing and Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill 2025, designed to enhance protection for local industries against unfair foreign trade practices.
The bill was tabled for its second and third readings by Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Liew Chin Tong.
