Chief Minister Adenan Satem today said the Sarawak government supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

He said every country in the world now asked for global rating systems and could not be isolated anymore or it would end up like North Korea.

“I quite agree with Mustapa Mohamed (International Trade and Industry Minister) on the TPPA.

“In an open society that opens up markets and to have that edge in competitiveness to our economy, we don't have any choice and I think this (TPPA) is the best and good choice, with more pros than cons,” he said.

Adenan said this after a briefing on the TPPA by Mustapa for him, the Sarawak cabinet and state assemblypersons at Wisma Bapa Malaysia in Kuching.

Also present were Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Ahmad Maslan, state legislative assembly speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar and state secretary Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.

Adenan said: “TPPA is a treaty between countries and under our constitution, the implementation of the treaty gives the federal government the right to ensure uniform growth.”

On safeguarding bumiputera interest in the TPPA, Adenan said their interest would be protected.

“And of course with regard to NCR (native customary rights) land, we will see whether it is relevant or not, but I don't think the TPPA will affect the price of NCR land,” he said.

“In the history of Malaysia from the very beginning, we have always been a trading nation until now. In conclusion, we support the TPPA," he added.

- Bernama