PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea: Malaysia will remain vocal against unfair trade to safeguard the interests of developing countries, says Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The prime minister said any differing views was not surprising as the idea of free trade and globalisation came from developed nations.
Less-developed economies, he said, cannot compete with their rich counterparts because the latter have economics of scale.
"(Developing countries) are limited to producing raw materials. No matter how much you export it, you won't become advanced. That's why Saudi Arabia, although producing 11 million barrels of oil every day, still has not become a developed country.
"So we have to protect ourselves especially our infant industries such as (the manufacturing of) motor vehicles, kitchen equipment and white goods," Dr Mahathir said in response to reports that he and several other Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders were at odds over free trade and globalisation.
He was speaking at a press conference after concluding his first day at the Apec's annual summit here on Saturday.
Dr Mahathir said the "small" nations did not voice out their view for fear of a potential backlash from the developed countries.
"We are also afraid. But if we don't voice out, the developed countries can do anything and we will become poor."
Dr Mahathir said Japan previously could not sell the vehicles it produced. But it protected its industry and eventually was able to produce good quality cars for exports.
Malaysia, he said, would go ahead with the new national car project.
"A car is kind of a catalyst for the manufacturing of other products," he remarked.
On the idea that Malaysia should focus on the next disruptive technology, he pointed out that car-manufacturing is evolving, technology wise, and that there are some 4,000 different parts of a vehicle. This, he said, makes it an engineering marvel if one has mastered it.
"And we (Malaysia) have mastered it in a short time. Now we can design and produce a good car. We can even produce the engine."
On his meeting with Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam, he said Malaysia is keen to improve bilateral trade with the country.
"Hong Kong is an advanced city, attracting 60 million tourists a year. There are many things we can learn from it."
On his meeting with representatives from some US companies such as Google, FedEx and UPS, Dr Mahathir said it was to convince them that Malaysia under the Pakatan Harapan government remained business-friendly.