KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — The United States is working closely with Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia in hopes of closing the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) this month-end at a meeting in Hawaii, US Trade Representative Michael Froman said in an interview published today.

In the video interview published on Channel NewsAsia, Froman said the goal was to “get it done as soon as possible” although he added ultimately, the negotiations will determine the time table.

“But I think all the countries around the table are keenly focused on getting this done.

“They are working through their own domestic process, get the mandates they need, consult their parliaments, consult with their stakeholders so they would be able to come to that meeting and make sure it’s a productive meeting,” he told the Singapore-based news agency.

When asked how crucial it was for Malaysia to be upgraded by the US State Department in its annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, he said while it could affect negotiations, “it is still very much a work in progress” in its legislative process.

“I think in Malaysia, they recognise they got a serious problem that they got to deal with. The State Department issues a report once a year, it determines on its own how to rate countries.

“As I understand, it’s under review but we are willing to work with Malaysia inside or outside TPP to make sure that it addresses this important issue,” Froman said.

He pointed out at that the Malaysian Parliament had recently passed an amendment to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, which conditionally allows trafficked persons to work lawfully, under supervision. The law has yet to be gazetted at this point.

Quoting unnamed sources, Reuters last week reported that the United States is upgrading Malaysia from the lowest tier on its list of worst human trafficking centres.

A provision in a related trade bill passed by Congress last month bars countries under Tier 3 including Malaysia which earned the worst US human trafficking ranking in the eyes of the US State Department, from fast-tracked trade deals.

Critics such as DAP MP Charles Santiago urged the US to not prioritise trade over human rights issues as Malaysia has yet to take tangible actions to resolve human rights issues as well as take accountability of the human right abuses.

The TIP report is expected to be out later this week.