Wednesday, May 30, 2018

PM jokes about dictatorial past, will consult cabinet on trade deals


Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has been known to advocate "fair trade" over "free trade", today said he could not have things his way as he was "no longer a dictator".
He said this in response to a question about the new government's position on trade agreements.
"We haven't thought about that (trade agreements) but you know my personal stance on that.
"But of course, my personal stance is affected by my colleagues in the cabinet.
"That is because I am no longer a dictator," he told a press conference after chairing the cabinet meeting in Putrajaya today.
Malaysia, along with 10 other Asia-Pacific countries, had on March 9 signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The agreement was a reincarnation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), which fell apart after the US exited from negotiations.
While the CPTPP is less controversial compared to the TPPA as it no longer contained tough demands from the US which includes patent and copyright matters, Malaysia is not expected to implement the agreement until 2019.
This is due to several laws relating to the trade agreement not being amended yet. - Mkini

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.