KOTA KINABALU, Nov 23 — Sabah has not been sidelined in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations as the government holds its stand of considering the interests of the state governments, Federal Constitution and key policies, said Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Raymond Tan Shu Kiah.

He said during the TPP negotiations, meetings and consultations were held with the stakeholders from business associations, parliamentary caucus, non-governmental organisations, academicians, think tank as well as industry groups in each state including Sabah.

“Sabah’s interests are also safeguarded as there are state representatives in Cleared Advisors, a body to discuss issues that arise during the negotiation process,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the State Legislative Assembly here, Monday.

He said this when answering a question from Terrence Siambun (PKR-Moyog) who wanted to know whether the state government agreed to accept the TPP considering that Sabah is part of the states that formed Malaysia.

Tan said the periodical reports on the TPP negotiations were also tabled in the Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers’ meeting from time to time.

“In fact, in Sabah some 27 sessions (TTP and Asean-AEC Economic Community) were held by the Sabah Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) covering business entity and academic groups and the government,” he said.

Besides, he said the TPP would also not affect the rights and jurisdictions of the state governments in Malaysia.

“Among the exemptions are land and real estate, government procurement at the state level and local authorities,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tan also answered a question from Datuk Mohamad Alamin (BN-Bongawan) on the direct impact of the TPP on Sabah’s economy when it is implemented later.

He said for Sabah, the trade pact provided no import duty, zero per cent, market access to TPP countries for its main exports such as petroleum, oil palm products, methanol and plywood.

“Without the TPP, the existing import duty for plywood or timber products is 5.0 per cent for the United States and six to 10 per cent for Japan,” he said.

The TPP would provide benefits to exporters or the business community in Sabah, and its people as consumers would also get the benefits from the market opening in terms of product and service choices at much more competitive prices, he said.

He said the priority of the TPP was to provide tax-free market in four countries (including Canada and Mexico) where Malaysia still does not have free trade agreements.

Through the TPP, Malaysia would be able to increase its participation in the global and regional supply network as well as strengthen its position, including Sabah, as investment and direct trade destination. — Bernama