Once staunchly pro-China, Malaysian Chinese businesses are now distancing themselves from Beijing
China remains Malaysia’s key economic partner, but its businesses are increasingly becoming formidable local competitors.
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Malaysian Chinese bag-maker Liew Bin now sees value in protectionist measures as low-cost competition from China threatens Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises.
ST PHOTO: LU WEI HOONG
- While China’s rise once offered boundless opportunities for Chinese Malaysian businesses, the relentless influx of low-cost goods is putting them under severe pressure.
- Once a staunch Beijing supporter, a Chinese Malaysian businessman has turned away, instead backing Trump tariffs as China's overcapacity hurts his business.
- Trust, deep local knowledge, responsive after-sales service, and Halal certification have become vital shields for Chinese Malaysian businesses striving to retain their market share.
AI generated
Standing in the fruit section of a local supermarket the other day, I found myself staring at two 500g boxes of grapes: Chinese Shine Muscats priced at RM6.99 (S$2.20) and Australian Crimson seedless grapes at RM12.99.
As a consumer, I was delighted that Shine Muscats – originally a prime Japanese variety – had been slashed to budget prices. The Malaysian Chinese business community, however, has been far less enthusiastic about the influx of Chinese goods and China’s ability to turn once-premium goods into cheap commodities.