'Remember how Johor Treaty led to colonial control'

With a special parliamentary session set to commence this month to decide on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (MCCM) has reminded the government of past experiences signing treaties and agreements.

“The 1885 Anglo-Johor Treaty was a friendship treaty where the British were supposed to send an adviser,” MCCM president Syed Ali Alattas said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

“After it was signed, they (the British) said the government will be advised. But the country was instead colonised.”

Citing the Pangkor Treaty of 1874 and the 1885 Anglo-Johor Treaty, Syed Ali pointed out how the treaties had only 12 pages and eight pages respectively.

“There were only eight pages but we are in chaos till today. (The TPPA) has 6,000 pages. Would you read the 6,000 pages?” he queried.

Meanwhile, Syed Ali said a memorandum based on the results of a roundtable on the TPPA held by the MCCM and MCCM Research and Development Foundation (YKPD) will be sent to International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed (photo) before the special parliamentary sitting.

Denying that the MCCM was explicitly against the TPPA, Syed Ali admitted that panellists of the roundtable today reached a consensus in objecting to the trade agreement.

“It’s a memorandum stating our views, that’s sufficient.

“It’s enough for the smart people to take a look at our letter,” he said.

Taking care of traders

Asked on what action will be taken by the MCCM should the government go ahead in signing the trade agreement, Syed Ali admitted that they could not do much about it.

“We are responsible in taking care of traders. This will add to our workload,” he said.

Opposition parties and civil society have been resolute in their resistance to the TPPA.

Critics of the agreement fear damaging industry-state dispute settlements, limitations of the state's ability to introduce potentially anti-industry policy and higher cost of medicine.

The government, however, insists it will not sign the agreement if it means pricier medicine.

The agreement will be tabled in Parliament on Jan 26, after workshops with MPs and town hall meetings nationwide. -mkini