A parliamentary caucus will be set up soon to discuss the issue of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairperson Shahrir Abdul Samad said.

He said the caucus would comprise seven members of Parliament (MPs), both from the government and the opposition, and would be chaired by Jasin MP Ahmad Hamzah.

The first meeting of the caucus is expected to be held middle of this month, he said.

"The opposition MPs have also gave their consent to join the caucus, but they have yet to name their candidates," the Johor Bahru MP said.

Shahrir said among the objectives of the setting up of the caucus were to open a room for discussion with all stakeholders to ensure that whatever decision made by the government concerning the TPPA would be beneficial to all quarters.

"We target to involve all stakeholders in the discussions, including business groups, non-governmental organisations and various groups that have an interest on TPPA.

"They have their own concerns on TPPA, and by engaging all the stakeholders, we can make sure that at the end of the day, whatever the government's decision is, it will take into consideration the views of all parties," he said.

TPPA is an agreement similar to the Free Trade Agreement which involves multilateral trade among countries, including the United States, Australia, Brunei, Malaysia, Canada, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and Japan.

Various quarters, including Malay Economic Action Council, were reported to have called on the government to withdraw from the agreement as it was alleged to be capable of causing harm to the country's economy.

- Bernama