Opinion: Who gains from 'selling' national sovereignty?

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Dear Editor,

WE HAVE been made to understand that should the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement come into effect in its current format, foreign multinational corporations would be able to bring Brunei to an international tribunal outside of its jurisdiction if they do not like any of the country's policies that they may find to be impinging on their ability to make profits, or for any other kinds of unknown or devious agenda for that matter. This, we understand, would tantamount to undermining Brunei's national sovereignty.

On August 20, 2013, the US Ambassador was reported to have stated that the TPPA would result, for Brunei, an "aggregate income gains of US$193 million by 2025", quoting a so-called "study" by the Peterson Institute. Is that how much Brunei would "gain" by surrendering its national sovereignty through the TPPA? Are Bruneians willing to sell off their country's national sovereignty? And who exactly in Brunei would be gaining that "aggregate income"?

Perhaps His Excellency would like to elaborate on this? And it would be good as well to know the opinion and stance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Attorney-General's Chambers on the subject.

UC,
Bandar

Dipetik dari - The Brunei Times