Opposition reps want AG’s take on TPP agreement

December 3, 2015    Source : The Malay Mail Online

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 ― Opposition have written in to Attorney-General (AG) Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, seeking his legal opinion on the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, especially on the clause that makes signatory nations vulnerable to legal action by companies from partner countries.

Pakatan Harapan MPs including DAP's Charles Santiago and PKR's Wong Chen urged Apandi to take a closer look at the agreement’s 30 chapters, and on the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism, which they said could undermine the country’s sovereignty.

“We want to get his legal opinion in black and white on this trade agreement. One of the most controversial topics in is the investment chapter.


“It allows foreign corporations to sue the government. Decisions made by high courts can also be challenged by corporations. This will undermine the sovereignty of the nation,” Santiago said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

The MPs also warned that Malaysia might face financial ruin if the mechanism is used.
“This is dangerous, the lawsuits that these foreign corporations take up can reach up to millions and even billions,” Santiago explained.

The opposition leaders said they are giving 14 days for Apandi’s response, failing which they plan to file an application for a judicial review on the TPP.

On October 5, Malaysia together with US, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam concluded negotiations on the TPP.

These 12 nations have yet to sign and ratify the TPP, which among other things reduces the import duties for agreed products among member countries.

The TPP is a free trade agreement that has been negotiated by the US, Malaysia and nine other nations as part of the larger Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership since 2010.

According to international reports, the Pacific agreement would phase out thousands of import tariffs as well as other barriers to international trade and establish uniform rules on corporations’ intellectual property, and open the Internet.

Critics have criticised the secrecy with which the deal was negotiated, claiming that it would, among other things, undermine the sovereignty of signatory nations and make drugs more expensive in member countries.

Following the agreement on the trade deal, lawmakers have urged for a special parliamentary sitting to be held to debate the TPP and decide whether to sign it.