KL SPY SHOCKER: Stand up to 'disgusting' US activity, Anwar tells 'submissive' Najib

UPDATE3 KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian lawmakers expressed shock and concern at news that the United States might be using its embassy in Kuala Lumpur for spying activities.

"We are extremely concerned and expect an immediate explanation and response from the US ambassador. If it is true that Kuala Lumpur is part of the PRISM or any other US spy program, it impinges on our sovereignty," Member of Parliament for Bayan Baru Sim Tze Tzin told Malaysia Chronicle.

"This is not the time for our government, especially Najib Razak, to close an eye to what would be an infringement on our rights and the terms for the establishment of the US mission here. Najib must stop trying to curry favor with Obama to the extent that he opens the gates for Malaysia to be used as a spying-station on our neighbors. We might as well be a US colony in that case."

Sim, a member of the Opposition party PKR, was responding to news from the Australian media that the US was tapping telephones and monitoring communications networks from electronic surveillance facilities from its embassies and consulates across east and south-east Asia.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the information was disclosed by intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Deafening silence 

So far, there has been no response from the Malaysia Foreign Affairs Ministry, while Prime Minister Najib Razak is away on a working visit to London.

The Malaysian leader was due to welcome President Barack Obama to Kuala Lumpur earlier in October, in what some critics believed was a US carrot for Najib to sign up on the controversial Obama-mooted Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement or TPPA.

However, the visit was scuttled by the partial US government shutdown which forced Obama to stay home to resolve an economic tussle with his Republican rivals.

The US president is a popular figure in Malaysia where he is regarded as a 'hero' for overcoming racial barriers.

US officials in the Kuala Lumpur embassy have also not commented on the 'spy' news so far.

Don't be a stooge, stand up against "disgusting" spying

Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim too minced no words, demanding action from the Najib administration.

“People are disgusted with the way that the intelligence apparatus are being used to spy ... latest of course in Spain," Malay Mail reported Anwar as saying.

“I think the Malaysian intelligence, in particular the prime minister, should not be seen to be so submissive and not prepared to say anything. They must lodge a protest, there is no reason for any country, foreign country, whether it's United States or any other country to be involved in any internal espionage in any country."

Nik Nazmi, another leader in Anwar's PKR or People's Justice Party, urged US officials to clear the air.

"This is an outrage on Malaysian sovereignty. US embassy should not have to wait for Najib or the Malaysian Foreign Ministry to call. The US should be responsible enough to explain to the Malaysian people if it is true they are using KL as a base to spy on us and our neighbors. Also, did anyone in the Malaysian government sanction such a covert activity," Nik Nazmi told Malaysia Chronicle.

Snowden's top secret map

A top secret map from Snowden showed 90 surveillance facilities worldwide, including communications intelligence facilities at embassies in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Yangon.

Dated August 13, 2010, the map shows no such facilities are located in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Japan and Singapore – the US's closest allies.

The Sydney Morning Herald also said Australia was fully aware of the extent of United States' electronic espionage against our neighbours and trading partners and had access to much of the data being collected.

According to the map published by Germany's Der Spiegel magazine on Tuesday, a joint Central Intelligence Agency – National Security Agency group known as " Special Collection Service" conducts the sweeping surveillance operation, as well as clandestine operations against specific intelligence targets.

The map, which was initially published in full on Der Spiegel's website but subsequently replaced with a censored version, lists Special Collection Service facilities at 90 locations worldwide, including 74 manned facilities, 14 remotely operated facilities and two technical support centres.

5-eyes network: China the main focus

Releasable only to "FVEY" – the United States' "5-eyes" intelligence partners including Australia – the map reveals the US operates clandestine communications intelligence facilities at its embassies in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Yangon.

The US embassy in Bangkok also includes a technical support team and remotely operates a facility at the US consulate in the Thai provincial capital of Chang Mai.

In east Asia, US intelligence collection efforts are focused on China, with facilities located in the US embassy in Beijing and the US consulates in Shanghai and Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in south-west China. Another monitoring facility is located at an unofficial US diplomatic office in Taipei.

The map confirms the global reach of US signals intelligence operations with special collection facilities located in most major capitals on every continent.

There are eight facilities in south Asia including at the US embassies in New Delhi and Islamabad. The Middle East and North Africa are covered by no less than 24 facilities, while sub-Saharan Africa is covered by a further nine facilities.

Malaysia Chronicle