Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman display utmost displeasure when commenting on the remarks made by Tourism Minister Dato’ Sri Nazri Aziz for the Deputy Foreign Minister’s call on the statement that the Ambassador of China to Kuala Lumpur Dr Huang Huikang made after the visit to Petaling Street last Friday.
“No minister has any business in matters pertaining to the Foreign Ministry. Nazri is out of line!”, he said very sternly in an exclusive phone interview.
“It is normal practice that we (Wisma Putra) call foreign envoys to clarify and explain on any statements they made. We want to know whether they did say what was published in the media. It is a mater of public interest and a question of sovereignty”.
The Foreign Minister also added that Wisma Putra have the right to know if these envoys did or did not issue such statements.
“If they did say it or issue statement about it, then we have to tell them not to interfere in matters pertaining to domestic affairs or apologise”.
The Foreign Minister cited the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relation (1961) for this authority to request for an envoy to come forward and explain. “This is normal practice all over the world, to be called in as and when deemed necessary. In the past, we have called the United States, Vatican and Singaporean envoys to Wisma Putra and explain themselves”.
He also added that Nazri did not call him before making such a remark to the media. The remarks Nazri made carried the wrong connotation and public perception on the normal conduct of diplomatic relationship, even with China.
“The Deputy Minister, Chief Secretary (KSU) or any of the Deputy Chief Secretaries (TKUs) are authorised to summon envoys to Wisma Putra for such clarification. We have done this in the past and its a practice”.
He had sanctioned for Ambassador of China to be called in by Wisma Putra and the also added Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak has been notified on the matter.
“Nazri does not have to interfere in matters pertaining to Foreign Ministry”.
Anifah showed displeasure for Nazri making the statement, which he regards as out of place. Nazri has taken his faux pas, a little bit too far his time. -bigdogdotcom
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