International Trade and Industry Minister, Mustapa Mohamed said the consultations the government has had with various stakeholders should be the source of reference on Malaysia's stand in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) rather than Wikileaks disclosures.
However Mustapa acknowledged there is more work to be done before negotiations can be finalised.
"Negotiators are currently working on the timetable for future work in relation to the TPPA negotiations. The Malaysian public should not base its assessment on Wikileaks," he said in a statement.
The minister assured Malaysia will continue with the domestic process of engagement and consultations with the Parliamentary caucus, civil society and other stakeholders, to share the government's stand on the issues.
"After the conclusion of the TPPA negotiations, the text will be presented to Parliament for debate," he emphasised.
Mustapa said this in relation to the TPPA ministerial meeting held in Singapore since Dec 7 and which ended yesterday.
It was previously reportedthat a group calling themselves Bantah TPPA claimed the United States has the upper hand in terms of negotiation, following a sighting of a secret document and demanded the government "must not waste more time or resources to be part of a lopsided and one-handed negotiation process".
Last month, according to Wikileaks Malaysia is among countries that strongly oppose the "hardline" stance of the US in the TPPA negotiations, compared to countries like Australia.
Some progress but wide gaps remain
Touching on what had happened in Singapore, Mustapa said there was progress, but wide gaps still remain in many chapters that would require further negotiation.
He said on subjects like state-owned enterprises, the environment, intellectual property rights (IPR) and market access, many issues are still outstanding and negotiators have been tasked to explore solutions.
"Malaysia will continue to negotiate based on the mandate given by the cabinet.
However Mustapa acknowledged there is more work to be done before negotiations can be finalised.
"Negotiators are currently working on the timetable for future work in relation to the TPPA negotiations. The Malaysian public should not base its assessment on Wikileaks," he said in a statement.
The minister assured Malaysia will continue with the domestic process of engagement and consultations with the Parliamentary caucus, civil society and other stakeholders, to share the government's stand on the issues.
"After the conclusion of the TPPA negotiations, the text will be presented to Parliament for debate," he emphasised.
Mustapa said this in relation to the TPPA ministerial meeting held in Singapore since Dec 7 and which ended yesterday.
It was previously reportedthat a group calling themselves Bantah TPPA claimed the United States has the upper hand in terms of negotiation, following a sighting of a secret document and demanded the government "must not waste more time or resources to be part of a lopsided and one-handed negotiation process".Last month, according to Wikileaks Malaysia is among countries that strongly oppose the "hardline" stance of the US in the TPPA negotiations, compared to countries like Australia.
Some progress but wide gaps remain
Touching on what had happened in Singapore, Mustapa said there was progress, but wide gaps still remain in many chapters that would require further negotiation.
He said on subjects like state-owned enterprises, the environment, intellectual property rights (IPR) and market access, many issues are still outstanding and negotiators have been tasked to explore solutions.
"Malaysia will continue to negotiate based on the mandate given by the cabinet.
"In Singapore, Malaysia had highlighted our specific concerns and sensitivities in the areas of government procurement, state-owned enterprises, bumiputera issues, IPR, environment and ISDS as well as the need for flexibilities including carve-outs, transition periods and country specific commitments.
"Malaysia continues to work with other TPPA members on the details of these flexibilities.
"Malaysia continues to work with other TPPA members on the details of these flexibilities.
"In the market access negotiations, there has been some improvement in the offers for TPPA members but Malaysia is continuing to seek a better package," he explained, adding the Singapore meeting was to evaluate the progress in negotiations since the Bali leaders' meeting in October 2013.
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