Press Digest: Chinese parties slam Hadi Awang's remark on TPPA

PETALING JAYA: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s accusation that DAP is supportive of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) as trade in the country is controlled by the Chinese community has drawn rebuttals from not only DAP but also MCA and the Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia (Hua Zong).
Hua Zong president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Hwah said Hadi’s remark is baseless, as non-Chinese entrepreneurs are playing equal, if not more important, role in the country’s economy, China Press reported today.
“Malaysia’s economy is not controlled by Chinese entrepreneurs. Many non-Chinese entrepreneurs are playing important roles. As such, Hadi’s remark that the Chinese control the country’s economy is incorrect.”
He said TPPA is not a racial issue as, under the free trade regime, all traders face competition.
He said as in all trade pacts, the TPPA has both pros and cons. TPPA’s benefits include attracting more foreign investment.
For example, entrepreneurs from China, which is not a TPPA member, will leverage on Malaysia position as a TPPA signatory, to use the country as a trading platform, he said.
MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon said Hadi’s remark was regrettable, stressing that TPPA is not a race-based issue but one that concerns the country’s interests.
Pointing out that Hadi Awang was being narrow-minded for having such a view on TPPA, Chong said it cannot be solely of Chinese interest when the agreement includes other nations such as Japan, Canada and the US.
“Please wake up to the reality as it (TPPA) concerns the interests of the people and the country. Don’t look at TPP through the racial lens.”
Meanwhile, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the accusation that “we (DAP) supports TPPA because we are Chinese does not make sense”.
“The TPPA is not by the Chinese but by the US.”
He said it had been decided that all MPs from DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara would vote against TPPA.