Malaysia is one of the 11 original signatories to the CPTPP, a free trade deal that was signed four years ago. It includes Australia, Canada and three other Southeast Asian neighbors. But to date, Malaysia has yet to ratify the deal. Rian Maelzer tells us why it's stalled. 

The original Trans-Pacific Partnership met opposition in Malaysia from left-wing social activists and right-wing ethnic Malay nationalists, from labor and employers.

Some concerns eased with the US pulling out of the deal, like over restrictions on producing generic medicines. But others remain, notably that it could restrict the preferential awarding of government contracts and other affirmative action policies benefitting the majority ethnic Malays.

Others worry about the dispute resolution mechanism that allows foreign corporations to challenge government regulations that hurt their business.

JOMO KWAME SUNDARAM Economist "It raises the bar of so-called free trade agreements in ways which are onerous for developing countries. With the TPP being rejected by the US itself and the CPTPP provisions being almost as onerous as the original TPP and with the paltry gains from trade associated with the TPP I think it's not particularly useful."

RIAN MAELZER Kuala Lumpur "Some argue that the government's reluctance to ratify the deal four years on is now more about political concerns rather than socio-economic ones."

ONG KIAN MING Former Deputy Trade Minister "A lot of these fears are overblown in the first place, not properly understood by the larger business community, as well as those who are advocating for labor rights in Malaysia. The fact that the US has pulled out of this agreement and as a result, some of these terms and conditions have been put aside, should give Malaysians some level of comfort that this is a good free trade agreement to join."

Some former opponents now cautiously embrace the CPTPP.

SHAMSUDDIN BARDAN Malaysian Employers' Federation "If we actually continue not to ratify other countries may actually benefit from it tremendously say for example Vietnam."

But with an election likely within months, the ruling coalition won't want to ratify the CPTPP before then, and risk upsetting its key support base – ethnic Malays who worry about erosion of their special privileges. RM, CGTN, KL.