KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will raise an
objection that the High Court has no power to intervene in the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan today confirmed that Najib
will raise the preliminary objection against the granting of leave to
a legal action to prevent Malaysia from signing the TPP agreement.
"It is not within the jurisdiction of the court to hear matters on
policy decisions involving international treaties.
"Court normally would not interfere with government signing of
treaties," said Shamsul Bolhassan, who appeared for Najib during
today's chamber matter before judge Datuk Asmabi Mohamad.
Shamsul also confirmed that Asmabi set Jan 12 next year to hear
Najib's preliminary objection before it can hear the application for
leave to proceed with the TPP legal challenge.
Counsel Mohamed Haniff Khatri Abdulla, who appeared for NGO Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim), confirmed the date.
Haniff said Asmabi decided not to hear his client's leave
application today so the court could first hear Najib's
preliminary objection on Jan 12.
On Nov 4, Abim, Urusetia Menangani Gejala Sosial (Unggas) and
Persatuan Teras Pendidikan dan Kebajikan Malaysia (Teras) filed the
judicial review application against Najib, the International Trade and
Industry Ministry and the government.
The three NGOs seek a declaration that the signing of the TPP
agreement contradicts provisions under the Federal Constitution.
They are also pursuing a court order to prevent Najib, the ministry and the government from
signing the agreement pending disposal of the legal action, among
others.
Previously, it was reported that the government may table the proposal
for Malaysia's entry into the TPP in the Parliamentary session early
next year.