Three NGOs file application to prevent TPPA signing

Three non- government organisations (NGOs) on Wednesday filed an application for judicial review to prevent the government from signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

They appealed to the court to issue a suspension order against the Prime Minister, Minister of International Trade and Industry and government of Malaysia from proceeding with the TPPA signing process until the court decided on the application.

The NGOs were represented by Mohamad Raimi Ab Rahim, president of Islamic Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM), Nurfitri Amir Muhammad, president of UNGGAS Malaysia and Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman, vice-president of Malay Education and Welfare Association of Malaysia (TERAS).

The NGOs also sought a declaration that the signing of the TPPA was unconstitutional and could threaten the sovereignty of the country.

The application was filed by lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla who represented the three NGO representatives at the High Court registry here.

In addition, they also sought a mandamus order to compel all respondents to immediately disclose the text of the TPPA agreement to them and the public.

Apart from Malaysia, countries involved in the TPPA negotiations included the United States, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.