TPPA - The Malaysian people to decide rather than MPs/Senators? Referendum?

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement(TPPA) - Our BN government tells us that Malaysia has not yet signed this agreement. Apparently, the agreement will be signed after Parliament approves it.[But, then there are reports that Malaysia already signed on 15/10/2015, and that the Parliament needs to ratify it before Malaysia is bound - confusing, and who to believe? Why did Malaysia's BN government led by Najib sign before getting the Malaysian people's OK - remember that BN did not even receive the support of 50% of the Malaysians who voted last General Elections. Hence, mandate of the people is still definitely needed - best by a REFERENDUM]

PROBLEM 1:- In our Dewan Rakyat, all our Barisan Nasional MPs will have no choice but to vote just as Najib wants them to. There may be some 'debate' but at the end of the day, BN MPs will vote as the BN Party Whip tells them to. [Or will the BN not use the WHIP and allow BN MPs to vote as they see fit - guided hopefully by consideration of what is best for the Malaysian people...not their 'political survival' in BN]

"If a BN MP is not agreeable to the Whip and does not agree to toe the party line when voting in Parliament, the MP can resign and contest as an Independent and vote based on conscience...."Even opposition MPs are also bound by their own Whip system, party discipline and regulations. "- Malaysian MPs - Party or People's Representative? Abolish the WHIP?

PROBLEM 2:- When will the Malaysian people be able to have sight of this TPPA Agreement? NOW is when they need to see the agreement, so that the ordinary people can study it - have discussions with their own MPs and come to a conclusion as to whether to support Malaysia's ratifying/signing of the TPPA or not, or maybe allowing the signing/ratifying but with some reservations just like when Malaysia signs UN Conventions and some other Global Agreements.

But, if it is tabled at the last minute in Parliament only, a few days before the vote is called for, then the people will really do not have the time to vote on it - and their MP will be voting possibly not as the people's rep. 

Most MPs are ordinary people with ordinary inteligence - they need time to study - they need time to be advised by 'consultants' - they need time to get the people's input.

Some even believe that the TPPA agreement's content will not even be disclosed to the public - but only the MPs (and maybe the Senators) possibly after they have agreed to keep it 'secret'. Hopefully, this does not happen.

Will MPs have consultation with the people? Well. sadly almost all MPs do not go back and consult their constituents on any matter - no public consultations [maybe a few talks with selected few...]. There is nothing stopping an MP to have a regular session with the people - maybe at minimum once a month. Get a Hall, report back to the people for 20 minutes, then take questions and answers for 1 hour, and then get the feedback on upcoming decisions that an MP will have to make... Why can't our Malaysian MPs do this? Better if such sessions are held every week...

REFERENDUM :- That is a voting like our General Elections, where the ballot paper will have 3 Options, and all Malaysians will have to choose - and be a part of the decision making...

A. MALAYSIA HARUS TANDATANGAN TPPA(Malaysia to sign TPPA)

B. MALAYSIA HARUS TIDAK TANDATANGAN TPPA(Malaysia not to sign TPPA)

C. BELUM BUAT KEPUTUSAN/BERKECUALI (Undecided/Abstain)

Then, it may be truly a people's decision....on whether Malaysia should or should not sign the TPPA. 

Why is the Malaysian government still keeping the TPPA Secret? Anytime, this happens, many believe that there are some 'wrongs' or 'bad things' that this BN government (or any government) is trying to hide from the people. Are we not a democracy? If we are, then NO MORE SECRETS...

Abim, NGOs file suit to stop Putrajaya from signing TPPA

BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Published: 4 November 2015 1:41 PM

 

Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) and 2 other Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs) want to stop Putrajaya from signing the contentious Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). – The Malaysian Insider file pic, November 4, 2015. 

 

Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) and two other Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have filed for a judicial review to stop Putrajaya from signing the contentious Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
 

They also want the government to release the agreement and other related documents to them and the public.
The three are also seeking a declaration that provisions in the TPPA will amount to a breach of fundamental provisions in the Federal Constitution.

The applicants‎ also want a stay order from the court to stop the government from signing the TPPA until the disposal of the merit of the judicial review.

The application was filed today on behalf of the three applicants by Messrs Haniff Khatri at the Kuala Lumpur High Court Registry‎. Apart from Abim, the other NGOs are Urusetia Menangani Gejala Sosial (Unggas Malaysia) and Persatuan Teras Pendidikan Malaysia.
 

Also named as respondents to the application are Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
 

Lawyer Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdullah, who is representing the app‎licants, said the court has to give leave before the merit of the matter was heard.
 

"We will extend the court papers to the Attorney-General's Chambers once the sealed copies are obtained to hear the leave application," Haniff said.
 

On October 5, 12 countries including Malaysia signed the TPPA in Atlanta, United States.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapha Mohamad was reported to have said that the agreement is expected to be ratified by Parliament in January. – November 4, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/abim-ngos-file-suit-to-stop-putrajaya-from-signing-tppa#sthash.xlOTH2Cw.dpuf