Former rural and regional development minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal today broke ranks with his fellow Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers over the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), saying there are many issues to be resolved before Malaysia could sign the trade pact.
The Semporna MP questioned the need to “rush” into signing TPPA, and said it was wrong to equate it with other free trade agreements, as changes would have to be made to the country’s laws.
“Scrutinisation after scrutinisation is needed to make sure the country’s interests are secured and assured,” Shafie told the Dewan Rakyat today during the two-day special parliamentary meeting on the trade pact.
Once Malaysia became a member of the TPP, the United States would constantly monitor the country and even exert its influence on local policies and the constitution to make sure Malaysia towed its line, said Shafee.
He said he was not convinced by International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed’s assurances that no TPPA member country had veto power, given the US’s role in driving the trade agreement.
He added that it may not be so easy for Malaysia to leave the agreement since it would involve many quarters and invested funds.
Shafie questioned whether local lawyers had enough experience and knowledge to sue the US government, if the need arose.
Another issue was PricewaterhouseCoopers’s report that the TPPA would lower Malaysia’s trade surplus, he said.
He also questioned whether Malaysia would be able to form new policies to tackle any problems that emerged from signing the TPPA.
“Will Malaysia be able to create policies to address any new issues that arise? After joining the TPPA, will the US have full rights on every rule or new terms that will be introduced, formulated or amended?” he asked.
Shafie added he was concerned the country’s sovereignty would be eroded over time, since the TPPA would require Malaysia to change its policies and constitution.
“The question is not whether the TPPA should be passed or rejected, but what I want is a win-win situation,” he said.
The TPPA is expected to be passed in the Dewan Rakyat later today, after lawmakers from the government and the opposition debate over the trade pact.