TPPA may backfire on FDI, says opposition MP

by Koh Jun Lin     Published 4 Dec 2015    Source : Malaysiakini

As Malaysia is poised to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), Klang MP Charles Santiago warned that it could backfire on Malaysia's hopes that it would increase foreign direct investment (FDI).

He pointed to an academic paper, which says that a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) can reduce FDI inflows when it comes to countries with high political risk – a category that Charles argues includes Malaysia.

The paper reads: “Where a country exhibits high levels of political risk, there is a marginal benefit in signing a treaty and, for particularly risky countries, BITs may actually have "a negative effect on FDI inflows.”

TPPA should be called investor protection pact, says MP

by  James Sivalingam    December 4, 2015    Source : Free Malaysia Today 

PETALING JAYA: Charles Santiago of DAP has said that while trade and its promotions are extremely important for the nation, trade deals should serve all stakeholders; businesses, governments and its people, where everybody should be able to benefit from it.

At a press meet here this morning, the Klang MP said the old ‘zero sum game’ notion, where one gains and the rest lose was “passe” and new approaches were needed with agreements that balanced profit, rights and the interest of people.

“Rights are heavily compromised in our current agreements. It is very skewed in favour of businesses over the rights and lives of people.

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.

Pakatan Harapan MPs seek AG’s advice on constitutionality of TPPA agreement

by Ram Anand   3 December 2015    Source : Stop ISDS   Originally from : The Malaysian Insider

Four Pakatan Harapan lawmakers today wrote a letter to the Attorney-General Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali seeking clarification whether the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is in line with the spirit of the Federal Constitution.

PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar and Wong Chen, along with DAP’s Charles Santiago, and Amanah’s Dr Hatta Ramli sent the letter to the AG’s office today.

The ISDS, which is a major component under TPPA, allows a corporate entity to drag a state to a tribunal.

MP laughs at TPPA clause that allows gov’t to be sued

by Blake Chen  December 3, 2015   Source : Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: Klang MP Charles Santiago has said he intends to send a letter to the Attorney-General’s Chambers in regard to the power the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) has put in the hands of foreign corporations who would have the legal right to sue the government if they so wished.

Speaking at a press conference in Parliament today, Santiago explained that the most “controversial” chapter among the thirty contained in the agreement was the one on investments.

“This chapter explains that it allows foreign corporations to sue the government, challenge Parliamentary decisions and decisions made in courts in the federal and high court level.

Expect US to keep close watch on M'sia over TPPA

by Koh Jun Lin     Published 28 Nov 2015     Source : Malaysiakini

United States will be expected to scrutinise Malaysian laws to see whether the country has held up its end of the bargain in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

When that happens, according to Klang MP Charles Santiago, Malaysia's claims that it only needs to provide five years of data exclusivity for biologics will not hold water.

 “As part of the requirement by the US Congress to accept a free trade agreement, there is something called a certification process.

A bleak future awaits workers under TPPA, warns MP

by Koh Jun Lin     Published 28 Nov 2015     Source : Malaysiakini

Subcontracted and outsourced labourers with no job security nor benefits will become more widespread in Malaysia under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), warned Klang MP Charles Santiago.

Presently, he said, Malaysian law allows only the plantation sector to hire such workers, although it is also prevalent in other sectors, despite it being illegal.

However, with Malaysia signing a TPPA side agreement with the United States, this will allow all sectors of the Malaysian economy to hire outsourced labour.