“The effect is that all American companies have effectively obtained Bumiputera status under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed by the prime minister.

“They are given Bumiputera privileges. America gets Bumiputera privileges,” he said at a press conference.

Mahathir said the agreement would force Malaysia to purchase goods from the US and allow Washington to influence Malaysia’s future trade policies.

“The truth is, the agreement hands over our country to America,” he claimed.

“We are compelled to follow this agreement, which forces us to buy goods worth billions from America. We must buy gas from America; we must buy aircraft from America. Sixty Boeing planes will be purchased under this deal. It means we are no longer free.”

He described the pact as “lopsided” and accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of failing to consult Parliament or legal experts before signing it.

Anwar previously dismissed claims that the trade deal affected the country’s sovereignty, stating that Malaysia can terminate the agreement if necessary.

He told the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 30 that the trade agreement he signed with US president Donald Trump had been carefully reviewed by senior government officials to ensure the country’s interests were protected.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers also stated that Malaysia’s sovereignty and national interests remain fully protected, as the country’s implementation of obligations and commitments under the agreement is subject to domestic laws and applicable procedures.

NGOs to lodge nationwide police reports on Friday

Mahathir said a coalition of NGOs plans to file police reports nationwide against Anwar over what he described as “treason” in connection with the agreement.

Lawyer Rafique Rashid Ali said the reports would cite provisions under Section 142K of the Penal Code relating to acts of sabotage.

The NGOs are also planning to hold a “Turun Anwar 2.0” rally by the end of the year.