Malaysia will use Huawei products as much as possible and the US must accept its capability: Mahathir Mohamad

Despite being restricted from the US commerce department, Huawei still has its allies around the globe that claims full assurance in the company including Malaysia.

Huawei USA: Can address national security concerns

Mahathir Mohamad, prime minister of Malaysia at annual Future of Asia conference, told that Malaysia will continue using Huawei products “as much possible”, reported Nikkei Asia.

Huawei has achieved a “tremendous advance over American technology,” he said. While the U.S. has long had a strong research and development capability, “they must accept that this capability can [now] also be found in the East.”

“‘If I am not ahead, I will ban you, I will send warships’ — that is not a competition,” Mahathir stressed. “That is threatening.”

On May 16, The US Commerce Department added Huawei into the trade blacklist and imposed restrictions that’ll make it very difficult for the company to do business with American firms. Moreover, the company will now require a license to do business in the country which will likely to be denied.

“Huawei’s research is far bigger than Malaysia’s capability. We try to make use of their technology as much as possible,” he said, adding that he is not concerned over allegations of espionage activity because “we are an open book.”