China ambassador Dr Huang Huikang, who is seen here at the Chinese embassy in April last year for a briefing on the missing MAS flight MH370, made a visit to Petaling Street on Friday as an act of goodwill. – The Malaysian Insider pic, September 27, 2015.The Chinese ambassador's visit to Petaling Street was an act of goodwill and the envoy has no intention of interfering in Malaysia's domestic affairs, said the China embassy, following Wisma Putra's intention to call up the envoy for an explanation tomorrow.
In a statement sighted by The Malaysian Insider, the embassy said ambassador Dr Huang Huikang's visit on Friday was in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn festival which was being celebrated today, and he gave out mooncakes to the traders and visitors of the tourist and shopping hotspot popularly known as Chinatown.
The embassy said he also made similar visits during major festivities in Malaysia, including Chinese New Year, Hari Raya and Deepavali.
The statement stated that Petaling Street was one of the major attractions visited by Chinese nationals during their holidays in Malaysia and Huang's visit was to showcase that the popular stretch was safe and attractive to visit.
"Dr Huang was asked some questions from the media but he only expressed hopes that Malaysia stay united, prosperous and harmonious," the statement said, stressing that the envoy did not interfere in Malaysia's domestic affairs.
National news agency Bernama reported today that Wisma Putra has confirmed Huang will be called in for a meeting in Putrajaya tomorrow.
"Malaysia views his remarks seriously. It is tantamount to interfering in Malaysia's domestic affairs," an unnamed official was quoted as saying by the English news portal.
Former MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu said Dr Huang's visit, though well-meaning, is counter-productive, unnecessary and could be manipulated to the detriment of the country's frayed racial harmony.
Penang Institute fellow Dr Wong Chin Huat said China had the right to state its concerns on the safety of its citizens and their properties in Malaysia or in any other country.
He said the Chinese government, however, had no right to represent Chinese Malaysians, just as Malaysia did not represent Malays in Singapore or Thailand.
Petaling Street was the scene of chaos on September 16 when police had to use water cannons to disperse a crowd of “red shirt” protesters who wanted to force their way into the area.
One of the leaders of the rally, Datuk Jamal Md Yunos, had earlier warned that the group of protesters will turn up again in Chinatown yesterday to demand the authorities raid the traders who he alleged were involved in selling fake goods and running other illegal businesses.
The rally was later called off on police advice.
Jamal, who is Sungai Besar Umno division leader, later denied any involvement in yesterday's rally, saying it was never his intention to cause alarm among traders and visitors to the area.
He was arrested by police late Friday night to facilitate investigations into his alleged statement that there would be a riot at Petaling Street yesterday. He was released last night.
- TMI
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