KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 16 -- Malaysia should firmly defend its reputation as a trusted trading and shipping hub while conducting thorough checks to identify companies that may be abusing its ports to circumvent United States tariffs, said maritime industry observer Datuk Seri Jeyenderan Ramasamy.

He said Malaysia should neither dismiss the concerns raised by the US nor allow broad allegations to cast doubt on the country's entire maritime and logistics sector, stressing that authorities should demand evidence and investigate specific companies and cargoes.

"We should not become defensive about the US report. Ask for the evidence. Investigate it properly. Identify the companies and cargo involved. Then take action based on facts and the law,...