The government pushed through the motion for Malaysia to participate in the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) in Parliament today.

It was passed with a majority of 43 votes in a bloc vote: 127 lawmakers voted for it, with 84 against.

"Minister of International Trade and Industry to move: That this House supports the government’s decision to be a Party to the TPPA by signing and ratifying the TPPA," read the motion.

At least 30 MPs took part in the debate during the two-day special sitting.

In his winding-up speech, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said the TPPA will not impact the majority of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"About 90 percent of SMEs are involved in services, such as grocery stores, hairdressing salons and car servicing. Only seven percent are involved in manufacturing while three percent are in agriculture and mining.

"We do not see a white man come all the way from Washington to give haircuts," he quipped but added that the TPPA may threaten the manufacturing industry.

He said the government will meet with SMEs after this.

Mustapa also addressed the warning that the country might be recolonised through TPPA, in a repeat of the 1874 Pangkor Treaty, which paved the way for the British imperialism in Malaya.

"We were not that smart then - give us a little money and we sold the country," he said, adding that history will not repeat itself as the country now has a group of smart lawmakers.

Six ministers wound up on behalf of the government. They were Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Wahid Omar and Nancy Shukri, Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Wan Jaafar and Human Resources Minister Richard Riot.

'Historic moment'

Earlier, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (Amanah-Sepang) failed in his bid to have the TPPA motion rectified, by removing the word "ratifies".

Since the government will need to make 26 amendments to 17 Acts, it would be better for the government to table another motion to get the ratification from the House after the amendment he had proposed.

However, his motion was rejected by a voice vote.

A special sitting will be conducted tomorrow at the Senate.

Malaysia is expected to sign TPPA on Feb 4 with 11 other countries.

At a press conference at the Parliament lobby after the motion was passed, Mustapa said it had been a historic moment.

He added that it was also one of the toughest challenges he had ever faced as minister.

"However, this is just the beginning of a long journey," he said.

Opposition Leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the opposition will continue to fight against the TPPA during the time it takes for the government to formally ratify the agreement.