Kuala Lampur, Nov. 21 -- The Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Malaysia and the United States has received strong criticism from detractors who insist the arrangement is lopsided, risky, or even neo-colonial.

True, ART deserves scrutiny by one or more of the Parliamentary Select Committees at the end of month.

But it does not deserve instant condemnation that verge on total histrionics. Why ? The proverbial taste of the pudding is in the eating. Neither the Malaysian or Asian Pacific economy has fallen through the floor.

To the degree, Japanese yen and economy are reeling that is due to a spat with China. Even the Taiwanese economy is not affected since the faus pax did not emerge in Taipei. But through the remark of Prime Mi...