マハティール元首相が『New Straits Times』（7月12日）に掲載された記事でＴＰＰ反対論を展開して以来、マレーシアでＴＰＰ反対論が強まりつつある。
8月7日には『Free Malaysia Today』が、次のようにＴＰＰ反対派の急増を報じている。
Debunking TPPA myths
The idea that it may have been better for Malaysia to stay out of TPP negotiations is a myth that needs to be debunked through a fact based cost/benefit analysis.
It seems that increasingly more and more people in Malaysia ‘love to hate’ the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) project. An unlikely alliance appears to be emerging between former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and members of opposition on this issue.
This could potentially harm Malaysia’s interest if as a result of this pressure it is forced to abandon its efforts to be part of the groundbreaking trade pact.
In my personal view Malaysia is absolutely right to enter the trade negotiations with 12 Pacific nations to defend its own economic interests within TPP.
As a relatively small economy with exports to GDP ratio at 100% – compared for example to Indonesia’s 30% – Malaysia stands a lot to gain from being a member of the new trading club – especially in the knowledge and downstream sectors that require technology and innovation.
Higher standards in intellectual property, public procurement and environmental safety will help attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) as well as give local entrepreneurs more confidence that their property rights will be protected.
This happened before when for instance new European Union (EU) members from Eastern Europe like Poland and Hungary had to raise the bar for their private companies in knowledge sector.
The tangible benefits in terms of growth and new jobs created have been remarkable.
TPPs proposed agenda as we know it ought to fuel higher export of services creating high income jobs. In line with the rest of the region, trade as a share of Malaysia’s GDP will continue to rise with domestic market growth limited by fiscal constraints and declining energy resources.
More importantly in weighing up the TPP argument, one should consider the cost of staying out.
The experience of Norway and Switzerland that chose to stay out of the European Union (EU) shows even if you are not part of a trading block, you end up having to follow the rules without having much say in the process.
The cost of compliance can become an outright hurdle to accessing the market.
The proposed TPP Club of 12 countries now accounts for 34% of global GDP comprising many of Malaysia’s key trade partners such as the US and Japan.
The idea that it may have been better for Malaysia to stay out of TPP negotiations is a myth that needs to be debunked through a fact based cost/benefit analysis.
To be sure the negative perception of TPP is at least partly of its own making. The level of secrecy and consultation according to seasoned veterans in trade talks is admittedly unusually high.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/08/07/debunking-tppa-myths/