Because the countries brought to the tribunal would incur huge costs, and because every legislative consideration would be open to scrutiny by a foreign corporation, there would be a “regulatory chill” that would discourage TPPA countries from making policies that might be good for their citizens, Santiago said.

“What contributes to the GDP growth,” Santiago told FMT, “is value growth in the economy. Therefore the focus should be on education and skills and vocational development. These are the ways you bring about long-term GDP growth.”

He added that the Malaysian education system was ripe for a reform, and efforts should be made towards it.

Klang MP Charles Santiago today dismissed Foreign Minister Anifah Aman’s defence of the Trans-Pacific Partrnership Agreement (TPPA) as misguided, saying he apparently did not realise that Malaysia would necessarily enjoy long-term GDP growth as a result of securing “carve-outs” from the agreement.