KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 – The government is now preparing for challenges and opportunities that will become available via the implementation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said TPPA, which was approved at a special sitting of Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday, had explained all the anxieties and worries of numerous quarters.
“Via the winding up, many issues including Bumiputera interests had been explained, the government could negotiate many concessions and overcome many concerns that exist among people including Bumiputra traders,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby here Wednesday.
He said what was more important now was that the government and the people should be prepared for challenges and opportunities that would exist when TPPA become a reality in 2018. He said there were a lot of work needs to be done such as preparing companies and traders to face TPPA.
Meanwhile, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek was convinced that the TPPA signed would not negatively impact on the economy of Malaysians including in agriculture and the fisheries industry. In fact, he said they should be ready to increase exports of aquaculture products because they are expecting a surge in exports in the sector to foreign countries with the implementation of TPPA.
Meanwhile, Minister of Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan described parliament’s decision to approve the proposal as a historic step to make the nation more progressive. He said Malaysia still maintained the policy that international trade was the foundation for national development.
“Indeed, we have been trading with other countries since before, the decision of the parliament on Wednesday is another great and historic step for our country to be more developed, and it can be a ‘catalyst’ to development. I am pleased that the majority of MPs have the foresight and see this as a good thing because we will integrate with the economy of the world,” said the Kota Belud Member of Parliament.
The opinion was supported by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who described it as an interpretation that the government was transparent by giving freedom to the opposition to accept or reject the TPPA. Azalina, who is also Pengerang Member of Parliament, said the approval of TPPA also managed to convey the message about the importance of participating in TPPA.
“In the meantime, she said that the debates have been going on smoothly, although at times there were differences of views between the government and the opposition. He also said that it is hoped the healthy debate can be continued in the sessions to come.
Meanwhile, opposition leader Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament, said the opposition maintained its stand to disagree at the signing of the agreement by the government. Pokok Sena Member of Parliament Datuk Mahfuz Omar hoped that the government and the people would rethink the consequences to the country as a result of the TPPA agreement.
The special meeting of Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday passed a motion agreeing to Malaysia’s participation in TPPA, simultaneously placing the country a step forward towards signing and ractifying the competitive agreement. The motion was carried with 127 votes for and 84 against. A total of 24 members of parliament debated the motion which was put forward by the Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed Tuesday.
