Panelists give inaccurate picture of TPPA, says Abdul Wahid

Panelists attending the TPPA Summit 2016 here give a very inaccurate picture of the implications of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar said.

Wahid, who attended the forum organised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) here today, said he was not given the opportunity to clarify issues raised by the panelists.

"I was denied the chance to explain as the organisers cited time constraint. However, I respect their decision, perhaps next time, there will be another opportunity for me," he told reporters after the TPPA Summit here today.

The panelists claimed that the nation's sovereignty was a stake, the state government's control over land would be impeded, while the cost of medicines would go up.

The panelists were Third World Network director Chee Yoke Ling, Universiti Malaya law lecturer Prof Gurdial Singh Nijar, Bantah TPPA chairman Mohd Nizam Mahshar, an Majlis Perundingan Pertubuhan Islam Malaysia (Mapim) president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was present.

Abdul Wahid said the panelists highlighted fears and concerns over the trade deal, but did not discuss its benefits in detail.

He said Malaysia would lose out if it decided not to join the pact at an early juncture as the opportunity to negotiate the terms that would benefit the people would not come its way again.