Earth calling Wisma Putra

More engagement: Malaysians need to know that being the Asean chair is not merely about flying Asean member countries’ flags, or writing messages on electronic billboards, as pictured above. This is the time for Wisma Putra to engage with the media and get its messages across to the public, says the columnist ­— MOHD SAHAR MISNI/The Star

NEGOTIATIONS during the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agree-ment (TPPA) were difficult. At the height of the deliberations more than a decade ago over what was touted as the world’s largest free trade agreement then – it involved 12 countries, including Malaysia – Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed was not only busy with his responsibilities as the International Trade and Industry minister but had also joined several ministerial meetings abroad for talks.

And at the instruction of the Cabinet back then, his ministry (Miti) held stakeholders’ engagements and town hall meetings, open and closed, all over the country to explain to Malaysians from various groups how the TPPA would benefit them. Critics and supporters were invited to speak their mind.