TPPA: Gyrating Assumptions

"No man is an island". In such, we have to embrace the challenges and demands thrown at our doors in the name of globalization. We no longer survive and walk the roads within the corridors and boundaries of our country but enveloped with ever changing practices, policies and cultures.

Innuendos however crawling into our lives, short of understanding and aware the impact of policy changes commanded by industries and market forces. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) implemented in the country in April 2015, however still berates the public. Indeed, information is key to acceptance of a policy or regulation set. Arguably, the exercise conducted to brief the public has fallen short from support. Not forgetting the role in motion by the Oppositions instilling unsavory reception, filling the gap of misinformed and lack of comprehensive briefings to the public by the 'Executives' and the 'Executors'.

We now coming to face with another challenge in a larger scale whilst the sea is not calm. The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) a regional free trade deal between 12 nations in the Pacific Rim has recently reached its agreement on the 5th October 2015, but with some contentious issues ie; involving agriculture, intellectual property, services and investments needed to resolve before it could be implemented.

Numerous assumptions been circulating on the subject of TPPA, sadly they are made by people whom are not directly involved nor in the circle of dialogue. Certainly it is natural for any mankind to be resolve with their present state. As they have erected walls of convenience from intrusions of CHANGE and evolution. But we have to realise and adapt with change. The reality of present and the future both has its hindsight, undeniably it too offers the best of both world.

"Overall it (TPPA) more profitable and of what was said by some people that it hampers the economy, I think that things are not quite right. Equally we wait for the details to be announced by the government next month and it will be announced in the council," says the MCA Deputy President, Datuk Ir. Dr Wee Ka Siong upon stressing that TPPA does not bring harm to the country. The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department further reiterates the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has conducted a cost-benefit study of the impact of these agreements on SMEs.

"And I will do my best to ensure that SMEs are given a fair deal in the future," as he told reporters after officiating the Financial and Business Solutions SMEs 2015, last Thursday.

"I understand SMEs are concerned they will be left behind when multinational companies from developed countries participate or invest in our country in large numbers when the agreement is executed. But they should not worry because we will ensure their concerns (SMEs) are taken into account and more information about the advantages of the agreement will be given to them," he said.

Wee said that even the agreement would open a business in Malaysia to market that accounts for 40 percent of world gross domestic product.

"It was a prelude to a larger market for SMEs because they can access and promote investor confidence in the Malaysian market. We encourage them (SMEs) to take the opportunity to explore the international market," he said.He said 

The writer is in the opinion ...The public and most certainly grouses raised by some economic sector are worried TPPA could be detrimental to their livelihoods. Obviously, TPPA a free trade agreement which is regarded as the global economic trend which is currently open and will enable Malaysia to gain access to a larger market. 

The allegations made by the Oppositions that Malaysia will be "pawned" is entirely libelous. Malaysia is a trading nation and should benefit from the TPPA. In addition more research on the impact of the agreement is also required and a comprehensive deliberation exercised. Debates and understanding is very important because TPPA is an agreement involving the regional economy ... hopefully together we can look forward how to mold TPPA according to Malaysian version, in moving forward with progress and prosperity of the nation.

Prihatin Kepada Pengusaha SME Mangsa Banjir

Berikut adalah kenyataan media YB Datuk Ir. Dr. Wee Ka Siong merangkap Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri;

20hb, Januari 2015, Putrajaya-

“Saya menyambut baik pengumuman oleh Perdana Menteri berkenaan perkembangan semasa dan kewangan negara pagi tadi.

Di antara penyelarasan penting yang diambil oleh pihak kerajaan berikutan perkembangan semasa global dan dalam negeri baru-baru ini ialah penubuhan Special Relief Facility untuk menyediakan pembiayaan pinjaman SME pada kadar 2.25 peratus serta penangguhan tempoh bayaran balik sehingga 6 bulan kepada pengusaha SME yang dijejaskan oleh banjir baru baru ini.

Saya menyambut baik pengumuman tersebut dan ia merupakan langkah penting untuk membantu SME yang mengalami kerugian teruk dalam musibah banjir yang melanda beberapa negeri di negara ini, khususnya di Pantai Timur.

Pengumuman Perdana Menteri yang memberi jaminan bahawa projek-projek mega, seperti MRT jajaran kedua, LRT dan High Speed Rail KL-Singapura, Rapid di Pengerang akan tetap diteruskan turut menunjukkan bahawa keadaan ekonomi negara masih stabil dan utuh serta tidak dalam krisis.

Pengumuman ini turut membuktikan desas desus yang mengatakan bahawa industri pembinaan negara akan terbantut adalah dakwaan tidak berasas.

Sebaliknya, dengan adanya projek membaikpulih dan pembinaan semula infrastruktur asas yang musnah dalam banjir serta projek-projek mega tersebut akan dapat merangsang ratusan industri berkaitan (supporting industries), di mana kebanyakan adalah SME.

Pada masa kini, SME menyumbang sebanyak 34 peratus kepada KDNK Negara, dan sasaran kerajaan ialah sumbangan SME kepada KDNK dapat dipertingkatkan kepada 41 peratus menjelang tahun 2020.

Saya yakin strategi-strategi yang diumumkan oleh Perdana Menteri dalam perutusan beliau pagi tadi dapat merangsang pertumbuhan positif SME secara keseluruhannya.
Saya turut menyambut baik pengumuman Perdana Menteri untuk merasionalisasi dan mengurangkan  perbelanjaan kerajaan. Ini mempamerkan kesungguhan kerajaan dalam mengurangkan beban kewangan negara. Ini merupakan titik permulaan yang baik dan  semoga dapat memupuk budaya
berbelanja secara berhemah dalam sektor awam.” 

Pengumuman tersebut disambut baik oleh YB Datuk Dr Ir. Wee Ka Siong; Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri di atas keprihatinan kerajaan terhadap mangsa banjir di Pantai Timur yang turut melibatkan pengusaha-pengusaha Industri Kecil dan Sederhana (IKS) atau Small Medium Enterprise (SME).

Di antara langkah-langkah yang diumumkan adalah penubuhan Special Relief Facility bertujuan mengurangkan beban pengusaha-pengusaha SME di Pantai Timur agar kesinambungan pendapatan perniagaan mereka dapat diteruskan dengan kadar segera. Sekaligus, sumbangan pendapatan negara dari SME tidak terjejas di dalam keadaan negara sedang berhadapan dengan cabaran kedudukan ekonomi dunia yang tidak menentu.

Itulah di antara intipati perutusan khas Perdana Menteri di dalam mengumumkan langkah-langkah mengatasi kedudukan ekonomi semasa dan kewangan Negara Sesungguhnya malapetaka yang menimpa membuktikan sikap Kerajaan yang amat bertimbangrasa dan prihatin secara menyeluruh.