Stay out of Malaysia’s affairs, Rais tells US - Star

PUTRAJAYA: Aug 9, 2008

Stay out of the Malaysia’s internal affairs, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim told the United States, reminding Washington to refrain from commenting on how the country handles its legal affairs.

Even the UN Secretary-General has not said anything on how Malaysia handles its legal matters, he noted.

Dr Rais, responding to a statement by former US vice-president Al Gore that the Government was involved in “character assassination to silence an effective leader of the political opposition”, said he would like to see the United States' discriminatory approach being scrutinised by others.

He added that the United Nations should be the one playing the role of the world's policeman, and not the United States.

“The UN Secretary-General has not uttered a word, meaning that he respects our laws and justice system; why should a lesser mortal from the US say that Malaysia is not up to their standards,” he told reporters after a flag-hoisting ceremony in conjunction with the 41st Asean Day celebration at Wisma Putra here yesterday.

“Why should Gore and the US President give their evaluation of a country; does he not know the meaning of the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and the UN Charter – respect for the internal affairs of a country?”

Dr Rais added that Malaysia’s Criminal Procedure Code and Penal Code originated from Common Law and there was no reason for any other power to criticise the country’s administration of justice.

“But if they have any substantive legal problem that they would like to highlight internationally, they are welcome to discuss it with us, but in a manner that is judicious, careful and respectful,” he said.

When asked if Wisma Putra would summon the US Ambassador to explain the statements made against Malaysia, Dr Rais said there was too much summoning lately, and that he would prefer to let it go.

Dr Rais also called on Asean members to uphold Asian values and be good neighbours in order to be a fine example to the world.

The Asean Charter had become a reality, he said, and would help strengthen the grouping and imbue it with a renewed sense of purpose, while reaffirming key Asean principles and objectives.

He added that spiralling fuel costs and issues of energy security, regional financial cooperation and food security were some of the current challenges that demanded effective and concerted action by Asean.