TPPA: 'We were not bullied' - Najib

On the principal of free trade, Malaysia went into negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on its own accord and was not bullied into it.

This was stated by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak during a joint press conference held with United States (US) President, Barack Obama on Sunday at Putrajaya .

“We went into the TPPA on our own accord, we were not bullied into it.

“Malaysia is a great believer of free trade but we also understand that the benefits of free trade like boosting trade and creating jobs, but there will be winners and losers, overall it is important for us to show the people that the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages of the trade agreement,” said Najib.

He added that what underpins the agreement is the acceptance of the people and the government is committed to that process and will engage with the public and present it to the Parliament.

Meanwhile, Obama in commenting on the protests in Malaysia against the TPPA held in assumption that the US may be pushing Malaysia’s hand in signing the TPPA said, that it is important to wait and see what the agreement holds.

“There has never been a trade deal that somebody is going to object because they are fearful of the future or invested in the status quo.

“I strongly believe this is the right thing to do- creating jobs, creating business, expanding opportunities for the United States and it will be good for countries like Malaysia that has been growing rapidly and to make the next leap to the higher value aspects of the supply chain that can boosts income and development," said Obama.

Meanwhile, the President said that the search and rescue operation of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 is a joint effort and that full transparency in the dissemination of information should be practised by all quarters..

“There should be full transparency in what we know and don’t know how the process if proceeding, the United States is committed to providing resources that we can,” he said.

Obama's Asia trip, which begins in Japan, also includes South Korea and the Philippines.