KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) government will ensure that the special position of the Malays are safeguarded under the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) deputy minister Datuk Hamim Samuri assured the Dewan Rakyat today.

“Believe in Umno-Barisan Nasional… we will protect the interest of the Malays at all cost,” said Hamim during Question Time.

Hamim was responding to concerns raised by Pokok Sena PAS MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar in a supplementary question that open market competition will bring down barriers in government procurement and thereby “erode the special position of Malays”.

The issue has been a thorny subject in the country as Putrajaya’s affirmative action policies have helped Malay businessmen prosper.

The deputy minister said the ministry has conducted 94 consultation sessions with various stakeholders to explain the TPPA.