GPKK demonstrates against FTA outside US Embassy
Bernama
February 07, 2007
GPKK Demonstrates Against FTA Outside US Embassy
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 (Bernama) — The Coalition of Factory Workers and Trade Unions (GPKK) demonstrated for half-an-hour outside the United States embassy, here Wednesday to protest against the on-going Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiation which it claimed violated the rights of the lower-income group.
GPKK Subang coordinator A. Sivarajan who led a group of 50 members of the body along with several members of other non-governmental organisations
handed over a memorandum to a representative of the embassy, Elain Jones.
Sivarajan said the memorandum called for the US to discontinue the FTA meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah as it transgressed the rights of the low-income group in the country, especially factory workers.
"We will be campaigning throughout the country to explain the demerits of the FTA and hold a bigger demonstration if the meeting is not called off," he said.
A police spokesman said about 50 policemen stood watch over the demonstration and no untoward incident was reported.
The fifth round of the FTA negotiations between Malaysia and the US in Karambunai, Kota Kinabalu beginning Monday is scheduled to conclude on Friday.
The meeting deliberates on services, investment, trade development, workers, environment and agriculture.
