KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Wednesday his administration was still studying the effects of a 11-member Pacific trade pact that is set to come into force later this year.
"We are studying it very closely to make sure it would not have a negative effect on our economy," Mahathir told reporters in Kuala Lumpur, adding that the government has not set a deadline to ratify the pact.
Earlier, New Zealand said the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will come into force at the end of December. Malaysia is one five countries yet to ratifiy the deal.
Mahathir, elected to power in May, had earlier this year called for a review of the trade agreement, saying smaller economies like Malaysia were at a disadvantage under the current terms.