KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need for Malaysians, especially the Bumiputeras, to fear the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government had ensured that the Bumiputera agenda was protected when negotiating the TPP.
In his winding-up speech at the closing of the 69th Umno General Assembly today, Najib assured them that they should not worry about their privileges should the government sign the TPP.
"We should not fear the TPP.
"As I have mentioned before, we want to join the TPP but it must be based on our terms.
"I have said in my policy speech (on Thursday) that we have negotiated, that I went to see (US president Barack) Obama twice, that the Bumiputera agenda is a redline.
“This means that if they do not accept, we will opt out from the agreement," he told Umno delegates at the Putra World Trade Centre.
Najib, who is prime minister, said the government had been firm in fighting for the condition until all 11 nations, including the US, accepted that the Bumiputera agenda should be included as a part of TPP's terms.
"What is there for us to be afraid of? Why must we be afraid to compete with the others?
"Even Vietnam, which had been America's enemy since the 60s and lost thousands of people (in the Vietnam War) is not afraid to join TPP. Brunei (despite its size) too," he said.
"We always chant the 'Malaysia Boleh' slogan. But when it comes to competing with other nations (in economy), why are we wary?" he said.