TPPA: It’s not the economy, stupid

Rowan Atkinson is an amazing comedian.

While many of us fondly remember him as the man behind that little green Mini, he has also spent time doing some good stand-up comedy.

In one of his acts, imitating the Devil himself in hell, he lines up prospective candidates for the barbecue, including the Germans, French, thieves, murderers and finally, lawyers.

He might have missed out the drafters of 21st century trade agreements.

These bunch have somehow managed to take almost every aspect of everyday life, spin it around and wrap it in some 6,000-plus pages called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

And what a job they have done.

Even some of my friends and acquaintances have been duped into thinking that the TPPA is about trade and little else.

Others have been convinced that to correct the seemingly rotting state that is Malaysia, this "trade deal" is the best thing since Nutella chocolate.

There are even a select few who are elitist in nature – yet masquerade as being one with the people – who have labelled those who oppose this deal as "anti-trade activists". Some have even classed these comments as "bizarre".

My message to this group: It is time to wake up. The TPPA is not about the economy.”

Let’s face it – economics is boring. It contains technical policy matters designed by certain specialists.

And all of it is couched in language peculiar and dull, intended to prevent it from being read by the ordinary person.

In short, it is devised by specialists for experts. Everyone else is shut out from the process.

Due to this huge disconnect, many of us have found the TPPA a boring subject as it simply does not pique our interest.

Because it is boring.

Instead, our hearts and minds crave for that next juicy donation-laced political scandal which is irresistible.

There is a reason for this.

Drafters of the TPPA want to keep the details as far away as possible from the ordinary person because the impact on that ordinary person is going to be huge.

People behind this deal want us to treat it like a doctor prescribes medicine to a patient – "Take this medicine and all will be well."

But gone are the days when we swallow pills without questioning the impact on our health.

Today, we ask, "Will there be any side-effects if I take this medicine? Can I try a home remedy instead?"

However, these questions are not addressed by crusaders of the TPPA. Their standard argument has echoed the government’s message:

i) Trade will open up the economy
ii) More foreign investors equals more jobs
iii) The TPPA will create rules which will attract foreign investment
iv) If we do not sign up, we will lose out.

These arguments are complete fallacies used by narrow-minded advocates who seem to be delusional.

For one, Malaysia is already an open economy with a huge amount of foreign investors, both in Europe and the United States.

Most importantly, champions of the TPPA have not addressed the elephant in the room: If it is so good for the ordinary person, why is it designed in a language meant to keep that person away from it?

The numbers and details on paper in the TPPA are like sweets to economists.

However, life is not played out on paper. When it concerns your health, job, right to a private life and right to information, that is not about the economy.

It is anything but.

I will begin a short series next week on the TPPA, diving into the obscure language and what it really means for us. – January 27, 2016.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.