A lawmaker today warned that China could punish Malaysia for signing the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

Kelana Jaya MP Wong Chen said this is because the TPPA was an American initiative to keep China's economic growth in check.

"Taking sides against China is very dangerous. What if they buy rubber from Thailand, palm oil from Indonesia?

"Without boycotting us, but by just dipping the numbers (of its imports) China can cause our economy to suffer serious ramifications," Wong said at a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

The PKR leader added that China would also likely act against Malaysia if the country did not sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which is their initiative to counterbalance the TPPA.

This, he said, comes with its own set of problems as Malaysia might be required to amend more laws to accommodate the Chinese-led pact on top of amendments already made for the TPPA.

China, Wong said, had leverage over Malaysia because of the economic aid it has provided, especially in buying out 1MDB's assets.

"Is this how you (the government) treats China?" Wong asked.

Two Chinese government-linked firms were involved in the purchase of Edra Global Energy and part of Bandar Malaysia which were sold to settle part of 1MDB's burgeoning debts.