An Umno division leader has cast doubt on PAS' sincerity in championing the Malays after the Islamist party said it would protest the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).


 "If PAS wants to go against the TPPA, it shows that PAS doesn't really want to fight for the Malays," Cheras Umno chief Syed Ali Alhabshee told
 
 Malaysiakini
 
 .


 PAS today announced that it would mobilise tens of thousands of members to
 <a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/326677">
 
 protest the TPPA
 
 </a>
 at Dataran Merdeka on Jan 23.


 This comes amid a blossoming friendship between the Islamist party and Umno which both say are for the betterment of Malays and Muslims.


 The government has said that the TPPA will protect bumiputera rights and will actually be good for them and the country as a whole.


 "If PAS wasn't clear on the TPPA, they should have referred back to the government," Syed Ali said, adding that there were forums and briefings organised by Putrajaya to give a better picture of the TPPA.


 The Cheras Umno chief also indicated that opposing the TPPA would throw a wrench into possible cooperation between Umno and PAS.


 "By the looks of it, it is very difficult to work together if what the government does, other parties want to oppose," Syed Ali said.


 Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Razlan Rafii, however, said the PAS protest would work in the government's favour.


 "Street politics gives an advantage to BN because the rakyat will see that the opposition is exploiting the situation," Razlan told
 
 Malaysiakini
 
 .


 
 Government can be sued
 


 The TPPA is a multinational free trade agreement in which the US is a main proponent. Apart from Malaysia, other countries involved in its secretive negotiations include Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Mexico, and Canada, among others.


 Critics fear that the TPPA will wipe out local businesses as well as threaten Malaysia's sovereignty thanks to a clause allowing foreign corporations to sue the government for actions that would result in loss of profits.


 Parliament will debate on whether or not to sign the pact during a special two-day Dewan Rakyat sitting on Jan 26 and 27.

They should refer to the government, says Syed Ali.


'TPPA protest shows PAS not fighting for Malays'

~RM12

View Comments (0)

ABOUT

DIGITAL NETWORK

TERMS OF USE

GENERAL LINE

SUBSCRIPTION / TECH SUPPORT

EDITORIAL

LOCATION

RSS FEEDS