FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS STATEMENT BY NURUL IZZAH ANWAR
End Controversial TPPA Negotiations with or without Obama’s Trade Promotion Authority
I refer to the statement made today by the Trade Minister on the sides of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement Townhall and Lab Sessions.*
The Minister raised concerns with regards to the American Congress’ Trade Promotion Authority – which will allow the American President to bring forward the finalized version of the TPPA agreement as stipulated by 12 nations involved in ongoing negotiations – and in return, acquire a simple NO or a YES from Congress.
Clearly, our fears of a possible redraft of an agreement that have been painstakingly deliberated by 12 nations since 2010 might take place after all; if the American President fails to get the Trade Promotion Authority.
Moreover, it is undisputable that all stakeholders – whether for or against the TPPA – are banking on a version of the TPPA that will not be subjected to the whims and fancies of individual members of Congress. Such a loophole flies in the face of respect and sovereign right of 11 other nations that have given their word to vote in favor of the TPPA as per the draft discussed by negotiating members; not anything more or less – to be dictated by interests of any particular nation.
The Trade Minister should have come clean not only with the impact of a failed Trade Promotion Authority on the bumiputera policy in Malaysia; but across the board on all industries and chapters under the rubric of the TPPA. Else, we have little choice but to reject the TPPA and cease all negotiations.
Secondly, Malaysians are not only faced with the difficulty of effectively and transparently gauging the impact of TPPA through the delay in both Cost and Benefit Analyses by Teraju and ISIS – first promised in December 2013; then April 2014. As we wait with bated breath for the completion of the CBA this July 2015; we are confronted with a new surprise that the final TPPA draft we agreed to might change due to the failure of garnering the TPA.
The Trade Minister immediately release all the promised Cost and Benefit Analyses to the Malaysian public. I demand that the Trade Minister immediately end the TPPA negotiations pending the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) in Congress, along with satisfied stakeholders post disclosure of the CBAs.
The Trade Ministry must step up to better manage public engagements and fulfill datelines made.
NURUL IZZAH ANWAR
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LEMBAH PANTAI
VICE PRESIDENT AND ELECTION DIRECTOR OF KEADILAN
*http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/294027
