The Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) has yesterday submitted an ‘ultimatum' based on resolutions from its recent roundtable on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The resolutions outline 75 "non-negotiable" red lines which MTEM warns Putrajaya not to cross. Otherwise, it wants the government to quit the TPPA negotiations altogether.

NONE Najib received the document from MTEM CEO Mohd Nizam Mahshar during a Aidilfitri open house function last night. The premier left the event soon after without making any public statements.

This document was the result of the TPPA two-day roundtable session earlier this week. Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the guest of honour at the event and he spoke strongly against the TPPA.

MTEM, which is one of the key groups against the TPPA, made its mark when they walked out of a meeting with the International Trade and Industry Ministry over the latter's reluctance to be forthcoming on finer details of controversial trade pact.

Not convinced

At a press conference after handing over MTEM memorandum to the PM, Nizam called on the government to observe all 75 red lines stated in the resolution as the "national position" during the TPPA talks.

NONE Failing which, he said that the council will follow Mahathir's advice to come out with a "stronger position" against the signing of agreement.

"We shall observe the outcome. But at the same, there is a stronger position as advised by the former prime minister. We need to tell the government not to sign (the TPPA and) and reject it totally," he added.

Nizam said that the council was not convinced that the agreement will benefit the country and it will stand its ground.

TPPA is a free trade agreement currently being negotiated by nine countries - United States, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.