Abim and two other non-governmental organisations today formally withdrew their appeal against Malaysia's signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), following the withdrawal from the controversial trade pact by the United States.

Despite this, Abim president Mohamad Raimi Abd Rahim said the government should be more careful in the future in terms of signing trade deals that may affect the country's sovereignty and its people and not let foreign countries dictate our interests.

Raimi described TPPA's cancellation as a “moral victory” for the NGOs and the people who opposed it.

“A total of RM15.5 million had been spent to study and formalise the trade deal and now we see the US withdraw from it and our International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed formally informing this in Parliament two days ago.

“The money (RM15.5 million) could have been spent on other (things), especially the construction of at least two schools. Here, we see the government withdraw from the deal after US President Donald Trump decided not to be part of it and he issued an executive order. This is despite many Malaysians in general protesting about it but the government here is not hearing its own people,” Raimi said.

He said the TPPA was ratified in haste, without real participation and open engagements with all, especially stakeholders representing the people of all sectors in agriculture, industry, health and environment.

Lawyer Mohd Haniff Khatri had earlier informed the three-person Federal Court bench, chaired by Court of Appeal president Justice Md Raus Sharif, that the leave to appeal application is being withdrawn.

“This, after Trump had, on Jan 23, signed an executive order terminating US involvement in TPPA and Malaysia's minister, Mustapa Mohamad, informing the Parliament that the deal is off,” Haniff told the court.

Following this, the apex court struck out the matter.

The other two judges were Federal Court judges Justice Ahmad Ma'arop and Justice Prashad Sandosham Abraham.

'Be careful in signing agreements'

Malaysia signed the TPPA in New Zealand on Feb 4 last year.

It was reported that representatives from Abim, Urusetia Menangani Gejala Sosial (Unggas) and Persatuan Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Melayu Malaysia (Teras) named Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, the international trade and industry minister and the government as respondents.

They were seeking an order to compel the respondents to present to them a copy of the TPPA and other related documents, and a court declaration that signing the agreement was against the Federal Constitution.

The NGOs also sought an order to suspend the government's ratification of the TPPA and an order prohibiting the three respondents or their agents from signing the agreement, as well as other reliefs deemed fit by the court.

The NGOs failed in their bid to stop the signing of the TPPA at the High Court and the Court of Appeal.

Meanwhile, Bantah TPPA deputy chairperson Azlan Awang wants the government to be careful in signing any future trade deals as well, including the Asean and free trade deal with China, India and Japan.

“We should not be hasty in signing any trade deals that may affect Malaysia's sovereignty as I understand this deal also involves intellectual property and other rights,” Azlan said.

He fears that the trade deal may turn out to be another TPPA.

“Although the struggle against TPPA may have ended, we will continue to ensure that Malaysia's rights in trade deals would not bring any negative impact to the country and its people,” Azlan said, adding that the NGO, along with Abim, would not hesitate to file a judicial review similar to their challenge on the TPPA.