US Interference In Malaysia's Internal Affairs Expected - Rais

KUALA LUMPUR, 14 Sept (Bernama) -- The Bush administration's interference in Malaysia's internal affairs is no longer surprising as it has been doing that quite often, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
"On Sept 12, our ambassador in Washington was called by the US State Department and he met the Acting Secretary Glenn Davis who enquired about the recent arrest of individuals under the Internal Security Act (ISA)," he told reporters after launching a collection of philosophy books published by the Malaysian National Translation Institute, here Sunday night.
In August, the Malaysian ambassador was also called by the US State Department to explain the second sodomy allegation against Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Rais said following the latest episode, Malaysia had told the Americans about its preventive laws as provided for under Articles 149 and 151 of the Federal Constitution.
"It must be seen that the ISA is one branch of Malaysian law that safeguards or ensures national security.
"We've also explained to them that between 1948 and 1960, when the ISA came about, the preventive measures were already in place, and one must realise that Malaysia has three main races whose cultural and religious sensitivities must be protected."
Two individuals still detained under the ISA are blogger and operator of the Malaysia Today website Raja Petra Kamarudin and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok. Sin Chew Daily reporter who was also arrested under the same Act, was however released Saturday.
Rais said the US understood Malaysian laws but wanted to show that it was the "policeman of the world" by registering its feelings over such matters with Malaysia.
He said Malaysia would continue to explain issues to the US and at the same time would raise certain matters which it needed to with the US.
"One is about the fate of the two Malaysians still held at Guantanamo Bay who are still not charged and tried.
"We respect the US for its strident voice on human rights but at the same time it must also look at its own backyard, which is not as good as it is portrayed."
Rais also said that his ministry planned to summon the US ambassador here to enquire about what should be done with the two Malaysians at Guantanamo Bay whose offence was still not known.
On calls for Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to resign from the cabinet for his statement on the power transition plan, Rais said cabinet members should not be asking their colleagues to resign or that action be taken against them.
"Such calls should be ignored, as the power (to sack a cabinet member) lies with the prime minister. It is not proper for any of us as minister or cabinet to make such suggestions as in this case, Muhyiddin was only echoing the voices of the grassroots.
"The branches at their meetings had made certain proposals, including the transfer of power be brought forward. Muhyiddin was only conveying their thoughts and in a democratic country, it should not be the basis for asking someone to resign. We must respect other people's views."
On Anwar's intention to have a closed-door meeting with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he said it was up to the prime minister.
"In my view, anyone as an MP or advisor of a political party who want to meet the prime minister should be able to do so. Communication is important. Perhaps from the meeting, Pak Lah will know better what's in store for the future," he said.

tunku : i think rais should not ask his ministry to explain to usa but the idea of calling their ambassador is a very good move from rais. whenever they ask our ambassador about the ISA, tell the ambassador to ask them about guantanamo bay.this is their usual habit, poking their nose everywhere but they don't realize that their nose is very dirty.at least our ISA detainess are living in good condition with facilities and no physical torture. some even finish their degrees while in detention compare to guantanamo bay's detainees.