The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a trade agreement among twelve Pacific Rim countries concerning a variety of matters of economic policy, which was reached on 5 October 2015 after 7 years of negotiations. The agreement's stated goal had been to "promote economic growth; support the creation and retention of jobs; enhance innovation, productivity and competitiveness; raise living standards; reduce poverty in our countries; and promote transparency, good governance, and enhanced labor and environmental protections." Among other things, the TPP Agreement contains measures to lower trade barriers such as tariffs, and establish an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism. Concerns have been made such as government procurement, state-owned enterprises, Bumiputera issues and public access to affordable drugs and healthcare, while ensuring necessary incentives for pharmaceutical innovators and rising cost of living. The organiser's application for holding the rally at Dataran Merdeka was rejected by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. This however has not deterred the organisers from insisting that the rally would still take place.
Participants
It has been estimated that there will be 20,000 people attending the rally, as well as 300 non-governmental organisations.
PSM Secretary General, Sivarajan slammed Lim Guan Eng of DAP on their stands regarding the rally and the upcoming protest on 23 Jan 2016. In the statement available on PSM's Facebook page, Sivarajan said : "LGE be mature and take the challenge ! PSM has been fighting the pro corporate US free trade agreements since 2006, when Rafidah Aziz negotiated the US Msia FTA. When DAP and PKR were still undecided on the matter then, and preferred not to offend the US, PSM has already been organizing protest at the US Embassyagainst US corporate interest. Thus, we will do the same come Saturday 23/1 to Protes the looming TPPA ! While various civil society and students held a protest outside USM when Minister Musthapa Mohamed went for a TPPA roadshow there recently, LGE decided to have a late nasi kandar dinner with the MInister instead. Thus, its not only PSM, but many want to know on which side is DAP and LGE on this issue. So LGE, if you are serious about fighting against TPPA, take the challenge, ask your branches to mobilize to attend the protest. We, PSM will be there, I hope to see you there too."
