Government mulls parliamentary mandate before signing TPP agreement -- Mustapa

The Government will consider getting a mandate from the Parliament before signing the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said Monday.

He said the move was among efforts by the government to open up the avenue for several issues to be debated in Parliament in order for the people to fully accept (the agreement) without any confusion.

Mustapa, however, said the time frame to bring the negotiations, which are still at discussions stage, to Parliament have not been decided.

"When the TPPA talks have reached a certain stage, definitely we will table it to the people whether by holding a open day or in Parliament.

"So far, the government is still gathering opinions from various interest groups on the negotiations," he told reporters after meeting the parliamentary caucus and the ministry's senior director, J. Jayasiri, who is also Malaysia's chief negotiator.

The third meeting with the parliamentary caucus was attended by 11 members of parliament -- six from Barisan Nasional and five from opposition parties -- to accelerate discussions (on the agreement) before the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bali, Indonesia, next month.

"The government always takes into account the views and inputs from members of parliament including from opposition parties for the country's interest.

"I give an assurance that this negotiations will not compromise the nation's sovereignty and independence and pose a threat to the people's interests," he said.

Mustapa said the meeting was very important for the parliamentary caucus to understand the challenges faced in the TPPA negotiations and the government's responsibility to hammer out the best agreement for all Malaysians.

"Inputs and information received are not much difference with that of the government's particularly on rights of the government-linked companies (GLCs), small and medium enterprises, food standards, protection of intellectual property rights, currency manipulations and rise in medicine prices," he said.

Mustapa said negotiators from 12 countries met in Brunei from Aug 21 to Aug 30 for the 19th round negotiations with the hope that they could conclude the talks by year-end.

"Last week, Malaysia was firm in its stand on the environment, financial services, market access, investments, trade, technical and e-commerce barriers when several rounds of talks were held in Washington.

Mustapa said the Barisan Nasional government elected by the people would surely understand the people's needs and interests and would continue the negotiations under the terms and conditions set by the Malaysian government.

Asked to comment on the TPPA protest demonstration to be held on Oct 11, Mustapa urged the people not to stage any demonstrations that could mar the country's image and reputation as long as the government has not made any decision on the TPPA.

"The government is not tied to any deadline to sign the agreement. All issues are given attention and Malaysia, being a developing nation, the advanced nations should respect our views.

"That's our stand. I hope Malaysians will not be influenced to hold demonstrations at a time When the US President Barack Obama is visiting Malaysia on Oct 11 and Oct 12," he added.