Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) has vowed to continue with efforts to rally the masses to protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) and US president Barack Obama's visit on Oct 11, despite objections from Putrajaya.

NONE"SAMM is of the opinion that our (nationwide) tour must continue to raise awareness among the people on how the TPPA will herald modern economic colonisation," propaganda chief Edy Noor Reduan (left) said in a press release today.

He was responding to International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamad's call to protest organisers to stand down on the ground that negotiations are in progress. He also said disgruntled groups should instead engage his ministry.

Since 2010, there have been 19 rounds of negotiations, involving 13 nations, on the terms of the TPPA. However, the talks have always been held behind closed doors.

From the little information obtained from leaked documents used during such discussions, there are fears that the TPPA could spell the end of generic medicine production, leave Putrajaya vulnerable to suits filed abroad by giant firms and circumvent protectionist economic policies, among others.

In view of this, Edy said it is important to inform the public - through SAMM's nationwide roadshow - about potential problems from the TPPA.

NONE"The new colonisers no longer bring tanks and weapons of war. Instead, they bring only a pen and a contract," he said.

The fifth of SAMM's 14 stops will be at Taman Meru in Ipoh tonight. The final stop is at Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur on Oct 10 where former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his one-time deputy Anwar Ibrahim have been invited to peak.

Mahathir has been one of the most vocal critics against the TPPA, arguing that Malaysia has a history of getting involved in bad deals and that he expects the TPPA to be no different.

Obama's first ever visit to Malaysia is scheduled for Oct 11, to attend the two-day 2013 Global Entrepreneurship Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.