It has been one year since the 3rd Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) collapsed in Seattle. Several Malaysian NGOs were among thousands of NGOs worldwide that expressed their serious concerns on the many problems caused by the WTO.
Last year the developed countries wanted to launch a "New Round" of trade talks. Their attempts failed because many developing countries felt this would be against their interest. Now the developed countries are again applying great pressure on all countries (including Malaysia) to launch a New Round in 2001.
On this 1st Anniversary of Seattle, we the undersigned Malaysian NGOs are strongly against this New Round and we call on the government to resist and reject the pressures for such a New Round. Instead the government should work together with other developing countries to insist that the WTO concentrate on reviewing and reforming its existing Agreements and its non-democratic processes of decision- making (including the so-called "Green Room" meetings, where key decisions affecting all WTO members are made by a small group of countries behind closed doors).
At the recent APEC meetings in Brunei, Malaysia had stated there should not be a New Round unless an appropriate agenda is agreed to by all WTO members.
Indeed there is a dispute on what constitutes the future agenda of the WTO. Malaysia, as with other developing countries, is facing difficulties trying to implement our obligations from existing WTO agreements. For example, the TRIPS Agreement on intellectual property rights will raise prices of medicines and other consumers items. The TRIMS Agreement on investment measures forbids the use of "local content" policy that encourages the use of local materials in industry. The services agreement is putting pressure on Malaysian firms and banks and professionals to face competition from big foreign companies. The Agriculture Agreement threatens small farmers and food security.
Therefore the future Agenda of the WTO must resolve the problems caused by its existing rules. This is certainly not the time to launch a New Round, through which the developed countries want to inject New Issues into the WTO that will further cause disadvantages and problems. Among these New Issues in their agenda are an investment agreement, government procurement, multilateral rules on competition, labour and environment standards. These New Issues will force the Malaysian economy to come under the domination of big foreign firms at the expense of our local farms, local economy, jobs and consumer welfare.
If a New Round is launched in 2001 with the agenda of these developed countries, it will eventually lead to adverse economic, social and environmental consequences for Malaysia and other countries.
We therefore urge the government to stand firm against the proposals for New Issues and reject a New Round aimed at introducing such new issues.
We also urge the government to join with other developing countries to make demands to reform the WTO, including:
-- The TRIPS Agreement should be changed to disallow the patenting of life forms. -- The TRIMS Agreement should be amended to allow developing countries to use "local content" policy.
-- The Agriculture Agreement should be changed so that Malaysia and other developing countries can protect the livelihoods of small farmers, and ensure food security.
-- More open, transparent and democratic procedures, including meetings and decision-making processes.
We hope that the Government will act in the interest of Malaysia and other developing countries by rejecting a New Round in the WTO and working towards the creation of a fair and sustainable international trading system.
This statement is jointly endorsed by the following: Consumers' Association of Penang, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Center of Peace (CENPEACE), Bar Council Malaysia , Malaysian Sociological Research Institute (MSRI), Persatuan Wartawan Melayu Malaysia (PWM) (Association of Malay Journalists) Persatuan Ulama Negeri Kedah (PUK)(Association of Ulamas, Kedah State) Majlis Belia Malaysia (MBM) (National Youth Council of Malaysia), Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) (Islamic Youth Movement Malaysia), Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (TERAS) Persatuan Bidan Wilayah Utara (PBWU) (Regional Association of Traditional Midwives), Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSM), Penang Inshore Fishermen's Welfare Association (PIFWA), Persatuan Pengusaha Pertanian Kecil Felda Chini (CISNET)