“Truly cash is king.”
Malaysia is not exactly like the other members of the TPPA area, warned the former Prime Minister. “We have many sensitivities because of our racial mix, our economic disparities, our poverty rates and our low levels of incomes.”
To correct all the economic, political and social problems, certain policies and laws must be put in place, claimed Mahathir. “These are meant for overcoming our domestic problems.”
“But these are no longer enough. If they don’t conform to TPPA conditions they may not be passed by Parliament.”
A part of our independent rights will be eroded, argued Mahathir. “The need to amend 26 of our existing laws carries this implication.”
He was commenting on the Minister of International Trade and Industry (MiTi) Mustapha Mohamad disclosing that it would take two years to amend 26 laws to meet TPPA requirements.
This is a clear admission that the TPPA limits Malaysia’s freedom to make laws deemed necessary for the country, claimed Mahathir. “These laws have been passed by the Malaysian Parliament apparently because they were considered essential and good for the country.”
“But now they have to be amended because the TPPA was apparently more powerful than our elected Parliament in determining what laws Malaysia should have.”
By the same token, future laws to be debated in Parliament are subject to the requirements or conditions in the TPPA, pointed out Mahathir. “Being right and suitable for Malaysia’s needs was not enough anymore. The needs of TPPA will outweigh Malaysia’s needs.”
When those opposed to the TPPA claimed that the so-called free-trade agreement would undermine our sovereignty, and our freedom to act in our interest, they were dismissed as being emotional, noted Mahathir. “But now it is clear that the TPPA will stand in the way of our legislative rights, a fundamental freedom of a sovereign country.”
The founding fathers fought hard to gain independence, to be masters of our own affairs and destiny, recalled Mahathir. “But now we are going to sign away our rights and our freedom because of the need to obey the dictates of TPPA.”