The Attorney-General's Chambers today objected at the Kuala Lumpur High Court the bid by Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) and two other NGOs to stop the government from signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), arguing that it is non-justiciable.

Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan representing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and the government said the court cannot hear the matter as it is not within the realm of the court.

"The court cannot hear issues regarding international treaties and policy decisions," said Shamsul.

Further submission on this issue by lawyer Hanif Khatri Abdulla will be made on Jan 12 for hearing of the application.

Following that, he said, the leave application will be heard if the objection is not allowed.

“The issue of non-justiciability is a novel issue being firstly brought up. We are prepared for the matter to be heard for submission,” said Hanif.

On Nov 4, Abim through its president, Mohamad Raimi Abdul Rahim, Nurfitri Amir Muhammad of Urusetia Menangani Gejala Sosial (Unggas) and Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman from Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Melayu Malaysia (Teras) had named Najib, the international trade and industry minister and the government as respondents in the judicial review application.

Suspend ratification

The NGOs are seeking an order to compel the respondents to present to them a copy of the TPPA agreement and other related documents and a declaration from the court that signing the agreement goes against the federal constitution.

They are also seeking an order to suspend the government's ratification of the TPPA and a prohibition order for the three respondents or their agents from signing the agreement and other relief deemed fit by the court.

The TPPA documents which are already made public will be debated in Parliament next month.

The case today was heard before Justice Asmabi Mohamad.