TPPA: If it's not according to our terms, we shall not go down that path - Idris Jala

Datuk Seri Idris Jala believes that the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) is good for Malaysia.

However, he said to fully understand what it means to the country a cost benefit analysis has to be conducted sector by sector.

He also said that mitigation safeguards and measures should follow to ensure the country’s interest is upheld.

The PEMANDU chief executive officer also gave his assurance that the outcome of the negotiation is not final and open to further discussion.

In an exclusive interview, Idris said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has made it clear to everyone that the TPPA deal will be negotiated on our own terms.

He said that whatever negotiation that takes place will be presented to the Parliament for its final say.

“We better be part of the negotiation because if we negotiate and secure what needs to be secured, we’ll come back to the Parliament.

“And in Parliament, we’ll discuss openly the good and bad of it. If it is not according to our terms, we shall not go down the path,” he told Astro AWANI.

Idris believes that it is better for Malaysia to be part of the negotiation now to make sure the deal is favourable for Malaysia as trading is inevitable.

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Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who has been against the TPPA said a strong leader should reject the as it would not bring any benefit.

He claimed that TPPA negotiations were done in secret and opined a strong and fearless leader will not bow down to pressure from outside forces.

READ: A strong leader will reject the TPPA - Dr M to Najib

A TPPA cost-benefit report, which is being prepared by the government, is expected to be completed in early July, before it can be tabled to the Cabinet and Parliament.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said the government would only decide whether to participate in the agreement after getting the Cabinet's and Parliament's approval.

TPPA is a free trade agreement being negotiated by the member states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) - Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, South Korea, the United States and Vietnam.