ROME, 30 November 2003 — Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed called yesterday for worldwide taxation of multinational corporations, denouncing the World Trade Organization (WTO) for favoring rich countries. “The rich want the poor to open up their countries so that they can fully exploit them,” Mahathir said, speaking at a UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conference in Rome.
“What is clear is that the profits made by the multinationals come from the contributions of the poor countries through low wages, foregoing taxes, and providing capital,” the former Malaysian leader said, proposing a world corporate tax to help balance the global economy. He said the WTO should focus its efforts on fair rather than free trade.
“Taxing the rich to help the poor is morally desirable,” Mahathir said.