KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2- There is a need for more engagement with the public on issues pertaining to the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
Minister of International Trade and Industry (MITI) Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said today’s MITI Open Day on TPPA was well received by more than 1,000 participants from all walks of society.
“While we have done a lot of engagement or consultation with the public, we need to do a post-mortem on the best ways to further engage the public on issues pertaining to the TPPA,” he told a press conference during the open day.
This, he said, was necessary as the public want to know more about how the TPPA would impact them and the country.
“While other countries may have their own template as to what the TPPA should entail, we also have our own template,” he said, adding that this would ensure that national interest and sovereignty would be safeguarded.
He said concerns raised by the public on TPPA issues would be brought to the Cabinet early next week.
Criticism and negative views were expressed during the MITI open day which included fears by small-and-medium enterprises that they could lose their competiveness and Malaysia may succumb to pressure from countries with bigger political power and influence.
– BERNAMA
