Don't be afraid to compete under TPPA - Najib

The rakyat need not be worried over Malaysia’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) because it will be based on Malaysia’s own terms.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stressed that in the implementation of TPPA, national sovereignty and national importance, especially the Bumiputera agenda, would be of utmost importance to the government.

“We should not be afraid, I have said TPPA is according to our own terms, as mentioned in the policy speech.

“After negotiations, I met with US president Obama, twice. I told him that the Bumiputera agenda is very important to us. And he accepted. Finally all 11 countries accepted the Bumiputera agenda.

“Do not be afraid to compete...Vietnam is also brave. Brunei is also in the TPPA. Why can’t we?” he said.

Najib said the country’s competitive edge can be strengthened by joining TPPA as how Malaysia had signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) before this.

“This TPPA, the Bumiputera agenda will be defended. Numerous FTAs have been signed... our savings are more than expected.

“I have asked Tok Pa (Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed), in only three months, the country’s export will undergo a 200 percent increment. Only three months,” said Najib during his speech at the UMNO Annual General Assembly today.

Earlier, Najib said Malaysia's participation in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the TPPA was aimed at making the country a more competitive nation which would be able to compete with fellow ASEAN countries and other advanced nations.

Najib reiterated that the UMNO and Barisan Nasional-led government has always adopted an approach that will turn Malaysia into a highly competitive country for the future generation to inherit.