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

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir today criticised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on his stance regarding the signing of the perverse Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

Dr Mahathir opined a strong and fearless leader will not bow down to pressure from outside forces.

“I agree with Najib that we need a strong leader. However, what are the characteristics of a strong leader?

“A strong leader will show his power when tested. If he is strong, a leader would fend off repeated attacks from outside and within.

“When a leader cannot defend himself, therefore we cannot say that he is strong,” said Dr Mahathir during the launch of a book entitled “TPPA: Malaysia is not for sale” here today.

Dr Mahathir said a strong leader should reject the TPPA as it would not bring any benefit.

“The TPPA is odd because negotiations were done in secret. The government hid it from the people.

“I hope the TPPA will be rejected 100 per cent,” he said whilst adding that the TPPA is an effort by outside forces to dominate Malaysia.

Previously, Najib said that if Malaysia did not join the TPPA the country will suffer great loss as it (Malaysia) is an export country -- that is part of the global free trade regime.

Though he received objections from various parties, Najib said that the TPPA will only be signed if it adheres to “our terms”