Malaysia should not sign the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) because our national demographics do not suit such an agreement, said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said Malaysia’s diversity must be managed with the right regulations at the right time, so the government should not be tied by conditions set in the TPPA.
“Malaysia is not exactly like other members of the TPP. We have many sensitivities because of our racial mix, economic disparities, poverty rates and low levels of incomes.
“To correct all the economic, political and social problems certain policies and laws must be put in place. These are meant for overcoming our domestic problems.
“But these are no longer enough. If they don’t conform to TPP conditions they might not be passed by Parliament,” he said in a blog post.
He said already the country might need to amend a list of legislation to comply with the TPPA and this would erode Malaysia’s independence.
Parliament would convene a special sitting on the TPPA next week to decide if Malaysia should sign the agreement.
Among others, critics argue that terms may lead to higher cost of medicines and erode the government’s ability to determine policy.
This includes setting requirements which favour bumiputera contractors for government projects.
However, the government says the trade agreement will not raise the price of medicine and will bring in more investments to Malaysia.
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