The federal government is unable to disclose the details of negotiations over the much questioned Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) because it has to ‘respect the position and views of other countries’ involved.The countries are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam.International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) chief negotiator J Jayasiri (right) said the most important aspect of the negotiations is that the government will ensure the agreement will benefit the nation on the whole."That is why we need to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. It is our responsibility to negotiate the best deal for Malaysia," he told a forum on the ‘Impact of the TPPA’, organised by the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) on Saturday."The government will decide whether it serves the national interest before signing it," he said."I am a civil servant and need to work within the current system.(I cannot reveal the text of the negotiations) unless the cabinet gives (me) a different directive.”
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 18:01:52 +0000