The personal data of Malaysians will be at risk under Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), warned Pakatan Harapan.

"The TPPA requires Malaysia to open its door to a transfer of electronic information to other countries, essentially allowing corporations to take your personal information directly abroad.

"Currently, Malaysia's Personal Data Protection Act 2010 requires companies doing business in Malaysia to store most personal data within our borders," said Wong Chen (PKR-Kelana Jaya) and Hatta Ramli (Amanah-Kuala Krai).

Under the TPPA, personal information that is hosted abroad would be subject to different laws on privacy, they said in a joint press conference at Parliament lobby.

"For instance, your personal data could be subject to US government surveillance laws such as US Patriot Act. This will allow more leakages as it is outside your jurisdiction," they said.

The lawmakers also said the TPPA, which places corporate interest over netizens' rights, would sacrifice freedom of information of the netizens.

"The Trade Secret provision under Article 18.78 (of the TPPA) essentially criminalises anyone who gains access to 'trade secrets', broadly defined as manufacturing, industrial and commercial secrets, including those held online," they said.

The netizens are pretty much exposed under the navigation applications google maps and Waze.

'No safeguards'

They warned journalists would be hauled to courts if they reported on “trade secrets”.

"There are no safeguards to protect investigative journalists, security researchers and whistleblowers from accessing or using secret information," they said.

"TPPA does not require that the information be valuable, as long as it is 'secret'.

"This could lead to sweeping practices of secrecy and the effect of freezing those who might have a valid justification of public interest for releasing information kept secret," they added.

Malaysia is required to amend its laws to accommodate TPPA in two years' time before the trade agreement comes into force, said Wong.

"We are seriously troubled that the TPPA is undoing personal data protection laws and freedom of information through the back door.

"How much are we willing to sacrifice for the gain that we possibly get?" they asked.

Malaysia and 11 other countries – Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Singapore, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, the United States and Vietnam successfully concluded negotiations on the TPP on Oct 5, 2015.