Rommel, Keep your opinion to yourself.

Don't Meddle In Malaysia's Domestic Affairs, Warns Najib

KUANTAN, June 23 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed regret over the statement by the Ambassador and Head of the European Commission Delegation to Malaysia with regard to the New Economic Policy (NEP), saying that the envoy should not interfere in Malaysia's domestic affairs and policies.
Refuting the facts presented by the envoy, the Deputy Prime Minister said that as an ambassador accredited to this country, Thierry Rommel should play a role to forge closer relations between the two countries.
"Normally, an ambassador or envoy does not comment on the affairs of the country they are accredited to. This has been the practice because when we comment on the policies adopted by the country concerned, it means that we are interfering in the affairs of the host country," he told reporters after launching the national level Campaign On Early Intervention To Prevent Children's Disability, here.
Najib said this when asked to comment on Rommel's remarks on Thursday which were carried by foreign wire agencies.
A foreign wire report quoted Rommel as saying that the government was using the NEP as an excuse to practise "significant protectionism of its own market" and urged the Malaysian government to roll back its affirmative action policy for the Malays.
The foreign news reports had stated that the NEP gave a host of privileges in jobs, education, business and other areas to ethnic Malays.
As part of the NEP, all public-listed companies are required to allocate 30 per cent of their shares to the Malays. Companies without Malay directors or employees are excluded from lucrative government contracts, the report said.
On Malaysia's action or official protest against the statement, Najib said: "Wait first, I will seek the opinion of the Foreign Ministry."
"The role of an ambassador is to forge close relations between the country he represents and the host nation. In terms of diplomatic principles and practices, Rommel's remarks contradict the practice that we adopt.
"What was raised can certainly be disputed factually," the Deputy Prime Minister added.

Foreign Ministry To Summon Rommel Over Remarks On New Economic Policy

ROME, June 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia views comments by the European Union's (EU) top envoy to the country, Thierry Rommel, critical of the country's New Economic Policy (NEP) as irresponsible, and Foreign Ministry will summon him to explain his remarks.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the comments were tantamount to meddling in the country's internal affairs and policies.
He said Malaysian ambassador to Brussels, Datuk Kamal Yan Yahya, would meet EU officials to convey Malaysia's stance with regard to Rommel's remarks.
"Malaysia will then study the possibility of sending a protest note against the statement of an ambassador who should be forging constructive and good relations between Malaysia and the EU, and not otherwise," he told reporters here.
Rommel, who is the ambassador and head of the European Commission Delegation to Malaysia, was quoted by the media as saying that the NEP, seen as favouring the Malays and Bumiputera, did not provide a level playing field for foreign companies.
Rommel alleged that the government was using the NEP as an excuse to practise "significant protectionism of its own market", including the automotive sector, steel, consumer goods, agricultural products, services and government contracts.
Syed Hamid said: "We're disappointed that a diplomat had made a statement which pointed to his lack of understanding of the role of an envoy and a diplomat who shouldn't be interfering in the internal affairs and policies of a country."
The minister is a member of the Malaysian delegation accompanying Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on his three-day visit to Italy. Abdullah is scheduled to arrive here tonight.
Noting that relations between Malaysia and the EU were good, Syed Hamid said Rommel's action would not contribute to improving the ties further.
"I believe that he (Rommel) was expressing his personal opinion which had nothing to do with EU's attitude towards us, considering that our relations are very close and good," he said.
Syed Hamid reckoned that this was the first time that an EU diplomat had commented on a sensitive issue.
"I feel that Rommel's statement was not based on facts. If we look at the facts, the EU's overall investment and trade volume with Malaysia is high," he said.
"He said our policies are stifling the economy but the fact is that our economy and stock market are growing, and the level of in-coming investment is also encouraging. So it's clear that what he said was not based on facts," he added.

Rommel's Statement Smacks Of Arrogance, Says Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has described as "arrogant and excessive" remarks by European Union's (EU) top envoy to Malaysia, Thierry Rommel, criticising the country's New Economic Policy (NEP).
"Rommel has gone overboard in making such an arrogant statement. He has overstepped his authority," he told reporters after opening the 42nd annual general meeting of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) here today.
Hishammuddin, who is also Umno Youth chief, said Rommel should stay clear of the country's domestic affairs and policies.
"Don't try to interfere in our internal affairs. I think that Rommel hasn't taken any initiative to understand our historical and development background.
"Who is he to teach us about policies and how to develop this multi-ethnic country which has been independent for 50 years," he said.
Hishammuddin concurred on the need to lodge an official protest against Rommel's statement so that such subject matter would no longer be raised.
Rommel was quoted by the media as saying that the government should roll back the NEP as it was discriminatory and amounting to protectionism against foreign companies.
He alleged the government was using the NEP as an excuse to practise "significant protectionism of its own market", including the automotive sector, steel, consumer goods, agricultural products, services and government contracts.

tunku : the devils always think they are the best and try hard others to follow them.malaysia today is all because of its NEP programme introduce by Tun Razak. Every single community in Malaysia is living and earning equally and to the extend that the minority is controlling the business in Malaysia.In other countries if the minority is controlling the business, there'll be riots etc.In Malaysia even the foreigners are making lots of money from the business and we never stop them.So mr rommel, stay away from us and keep your opinion to yourself.may be rommel gave his opinion because he's seeing our pm are rolling back the NEP as the IDR is the direction set for it(that's my opinion).i'm glad najib and few others fired back at rommel's statement but i'm waiting the comment from our pm.