Malaysia will continue to amend its legislations, including that of labour and intellectual property rights, regardless of whether the country will be part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the changes were not just to comply with the TPP Agreement (TPPA), but were also due to domestic review that had been ongoing to strengthen and update the legislations.
In a statement today, he said the amendments would fulfill Malaysia's international obligations such as in the International Labour Organisation and ensure that the country's legislations remained relevant in current times.
"In the event that the TPPA is going to proceed without the US participation, we will need to ensure that our interests remain protected and the benefits derived from it still outweigh the costs.
"In evaluating Malaysia's participation in the TPPA without the US, an important consideration will be the possibility of Malaysia missing out on economic opportunities should the other 10 countries decide to go ahead with the trade agreement," he said.
As of now, Mustapa said Malaysia would keep its options open and continue to be involved in the upcoming discussions.
"The engagement with our domestic stakeholders will resume as soon as there is greater clarity in the options to be considered.
"I assure all Malaysians that any decision made will be in the best interest of our country," he said.
The 11 remaining TPP signatories met today on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Hanoi.
This was the first meeting where all TPP ministers were involved following the withdrawal notification submitted by the US on Jan 30, 2017.
Mustapa said member countries were united in their commitment to maintain the momentum of trade liberalisation and regional integration.
"We've instructed the TPPA officials to start the process to assess all the options available for the signatories," he said.
The next meeting involving the TPPA officials is expected to be hosted by Japan in July 2017.
- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sun May 21 2017

MUSTAPA: We've instructed the TPPA officials to start the process to assess all the options available for the signatories. - Filepic

Ramsay reveals hundreds of lucky cat statues stolen from new restaurant
Gordon Ramsay says about 477 Japanese cat models called maneki-neko were stolen from his Lucky Cat 22 Bishopsgate restaurant.

Zayn Rayyan case: Two child witnesses complete testimony today
So far, 20 prosecution witnesses, including the two children, have been called for this trial, according to the Deputy Public Prosecutor.

Macron says he will tell Trump not to be weak with Putin in Washington visit
Emmanuel Macron says showing any weakness to Russia's Vladimir Putin would make it harder to deal with China and Iran.

Israeli PM Netanyahu says Hamas will pay for not returning Shiri Bibas
Netanyahu accuse Hamas of acting "in an unspeakably cynical manner" by placing body of a Gaza woman in the coffin instead of Shiri Bibas.

Trump pulls US out of key global climate assessment, sources say
The US is a co-chair along with Malaysia of a working group on climate mitigation, or ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Japan to court Tesla on Nissan investment, FT reports
The group hopes Tesla will invest strategically, believing it's interested in acquiring Nissan's US plants, the report says.

185 children linked to GISB handed over to families - Exco
The children have been handed over to their families on bond with conditions by the court.

IRS fires 6,000 employees as Trump slashes US government
The move will eliminate roughly 6% of the agency's workforce in the midst of the busy tax-filing season.

Elon Musk wields chainsaw at conservative gathering, a gift from Argentina's Milei
This is the chainsaw for bureaucracy, says Elon Musk.
![[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide [OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2025-02/41740112820_KhazarUniversity.jpg)
[OPINION] For never again the world must know more about the Khojaly genocide
For Azerbaijanis, the Khojaly genocide is more than a historical event - it is a collective trauma that shapes their identity and worldview.

Israeli military says body released by Hamas is not of a hostage
Two bodies were identified as infants, but a third, believed to be their mother, Shiri, didn't match any hostage and remains unidentified.

Key takeaways from Trump-Putin talks: Ukraine, energy, NATO, sanctions
Here's what is known so far about what was discussed.
![[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights [COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-09/41726025526_UnitedNations.jpg)
[COLUMNIST] Whose rights? Islam, eurocentrism and the limits of human rights
For as long as rights are understood on Occidental terms, problems would inevitably remain. What is needed is an appreciation of diversity.

Argentina court clears 3 accused in singer Liam Payne's death
The court upheld the pre-trial detention of a hotel employee and a restaurant waiter held since last month.

Spanish ex-soccer boss Rubiales sentenced to pay fine over kiss without consent
Court also acquits Luis Rubiales' three co-defendants accused of attempting to coerce Jenni Hermoso into saying the kiss was consensual.

King’s health significantly improved after treatment - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he had the opportunity to seek an audience with the King twice during his official visit to Bahrain.

Why Trump wants the US Department of Education shut down
The vast majority of US children attend the country's free public schools, which are a big employer and economic engine.

How did a jet flip upside down on a Toronto runway and everyone survive?
Here is what we know about this accident and similar crashes.

TIMELINE - Trump's remarks on plan to take over Gaza, displace Palestinians
The plan has been condemned globally, with Palestinians, Arab nations and rights experts saying it was tantamount to "ethnic cleansing."

'No to drugs' signboards mooted as condition for concert permit
Datuk Hussein Omar Khan says it was part of their recommendations as efforts to curb drug taking at entertainment events.