KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 17, 2008

Malaysian Gov't Urged To Ban Halliburton

Ex-Leader Calls U.S. Company "War Criminals," Says They Shouldn't Be Allowed In His Country

  •  (AP / CBS)

(AP)  Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday slammed the government's move to allow U.S. energy company Halliburton Co. to begin operating in Malaysia, saying the country doesn't need "blood money."

"It is appalling that we have allowed this war-profiteering company to invest in Malaysia," he said in a statement, referring to Halliburton's contracts in Iraq for the U.S. government. "Are we so void of our humanity that we have to allow these war criminals to come in and thrive in our economy?"

Mahathir, who remains a respected figure in the Islamic world after his retirement in 2003 after 22 years in power, urged the government to ban Halliburton from using their "ill-gotten profits to operate in any way" in Malaysia.

Halliburton recently launched a 200 million ringgit ($62.5 million) manufacturing center in the Iskandar Malaysia economic hub in southern Johor state.

Mahathir, a vocal critic of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, accused Halliburton, once led by U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, of raking in billions of dollars in profits from the Iraq war.

Quote

Do we really need the blood money of a neo-conservative entity that has played a role in the murder of innocent Iraqis to fund our development?

Mahathir Mohamad. former prime minister of Malaysia
Halliburton's stock price surged from $10 before the war to around $46 now after the company won a series of contracts in Iraq amounting to nearly $20 billion, he said.

"Do we really need the blood money of a neo-conservative entity that has played a role in the murder of innocent Iraqis to fund our development?" he said.

He described Cheney and U.S. President George W. Bush as "war criminals" who should be put on trial for the Iraq war. Mahathir now heads the Perdana Global Peace Organization, a private group.

Iskandar Malaysia chief Ikmal Hijaz Hashim has defended Halliburton's investment, saying it will create jobs and benefit the country. The Iskandar hub is among five massive development programs nationwide by the government to woo investment and spur growth in rural areas.

© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by sjc_1 May 20, 2008 11:14 AM EDT
The oil companies sold some of their refineries years ago because it was a less profitable part of the business, or so they said. When you know the price of oil will quadruple, because your guy is in the White House, you get into the oil side and out of the refining side. Now the companies that bought those refineries are stuck buying over priced oil from the guys that sold them the refineries at a high price.
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by mcvet May 19, 2008 10:08 AM EDT
Halliburton & Co. will continue to prosper, be allowed to use their "blood money" that they took from the American people by charging outrageous prices for their products and services if and it is a big if Senator Obama becomes the nominee for the Democrats. His biggest problem is his 20 years relationship with Rev. Wright and I think most ofthe American voters believe that he should have known about Rev. Wright''''s views and principle re "this cage called America" HIV aid was created to target Blacks etc. plus his lack of experience and failure to win the BIG states during the primaries, states needed to win the electoral college.


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Posted by sracilis at 08:32 PM : May 18, 2008
+ report abuse

I don''t agree. I believe nations the WORLD over will start to reject this company and boycott their services. I also think you should have attended your last Nazi Youth Meeting... the Reich put out the advisory about the age''s old Nazi trick of Guilt by Association. Let me catch you up, YOU have to many evil and very Trashy People in YOUR camp to condemn the other guy for ONE person. I mean when you look at and compare what Craig did to those simple minded Freakvangelist?? Well point is it''s not working and the Reich has pretty much given up on that noise. Now stand and let the fuhrer know you''re out here licking those boots!! SIEG HEIL BUSH!! Dumb as a box of rocks
Reply to this comment
by mcvet May 19, 2008 10:05 AM EDT
Hey Jumpky: Go check the thread, I gave you a reply. I guess it was too much for you.


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Posted by downsteamjim at 09:21 PM : May 18, 2008
+ report abuse

Typical Nazi! Can''t justify or substantuate the LIE so??? Try to appear superior and RUN LIKE HELL!! ROFLMAO Stupid bootlickers are funny!! ROFLMAO Not very smart but FUNNY!! SIEG HEIL BUSH
Reply to this comment
by mcvet May 19, 2008 10:02 AM EDT
Hey downstreamjim:

How come you never answered by question? You said Democrats had blocked the building of refineries and had driven up the price of oil. You ran away from the last thread without offering proof of your allegations.

So I guess we can say you''''re just another Republican liar, eh?


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Posted by jumkey at 04:22 PM : May 18, 2008
+ report abuse

Yes and I''d like an answer on that one too! TODAY our refineries are only running at 85% as they stand now... I''m really interested in where this Bootlicker say''s he got this info. LOL Sieg Heil Bush
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by saraghoniem May 19, 2008 5:43 AM EDT
Let me express my respect to Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad first. Actually, it is so courageous of him to say such words. I wish all Muslim leaders will learn from him. Nothing better than transperency.

May allah Bless Mr Mahathir. SG "EGYPT"
Reply to this comment
by saraghoniem May 19, 2008 5:42 AM EDT
Let me express my respect to Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad first. Actually, it is so courageous of him to say such words. I wish all Muslim leaders will learn from him. Nothing better than transperency.

May allah Bless Mr Mahathir. SG "EGYPT"
Reply to this comment
by saraghoniem May 19, 2008 5:41 AM EDT
Let me express my respect to Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad first. Actually, it is so courageous of him to say such words. I wish all Muslim leaders will learn from him. Nothing better than transperency.

May allah Bless Mr Mahathir. SG "EGYPT"
Reply to this comment
by johnshaft4 May 19, 2008 3:06 AM EDT
No, No, No...They should INVITE Halliburton/KBR in, then rape and kill them.
Reply to this comment
by sjc_1 May 19, 2008 1:27 AM EDT
I think some of the world knows that a Democrat is likely to be elected our next President. They are positioning for that day right now.
Reply to this comment
by downsteamjim May 19, 2008 12:21 AM EDT
Hey Jumpky: Go check the thread, I gave you a reply. I guess it was too much for you.
Reply to this comment
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