Senator Abdul Shukor Mohd Sultan has called on the government to make the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations public in order to allow feedback from the people.

He said the people had the right to know the details of the agreement as it would affect their cost of living. 

"Why won't the government disclose the TTPA talks to the public? Is it too technical? Even the senators have not been provided with any information on it for our debates. Why the secrecy?" he queried when debating on the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Negara, here, today.

Abdul Shukor claimed that the TPPA was very risky for Malaysia as it appeared to be an exercise by multinationals to expand their power.

"Malaysia needs to be careful in dealing with the economic power houses as TPPA appears to be a new form of subtle colonisation," he cautioned.

The media have reported that various parties including non-governmental organisations had voiced their concern over the TPPA.  

However, the government has assured that it would take the people's views into consideration before deciding to implement the agreement.

TPP is a free-trade initiative which aims to further liberalise the Asia-Pacific economies.

The agreement is intended to enhance trade and investment among the TPP countries, encourage innovation, boost economic growth and development, and support the creation and retention of jobs.

The countries involved in the TPPA negotiations at present are Malaysia, the United States, Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam and the newest member, Japan.

The Dewan Negara sitting continues tomorrow.