KL asks Lee to drop criticism

KL asks Lee to drop criticism

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia yesterday demanded Singapore Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew retract criticism of the southern state of Johor which he said was "notorious for shootings, muggings and car-jackings."

Foreign Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told a news conference that the cabinet discussed Lee's remarks made in a legal document and demanded that Lee tender a public apology.

"All the cabinet members are offended...If he (Lee) really values our goodwill and friendship, he should retract his statement and tender an apology," Badawi added.

Badawi earlier summoned the acting Singapore High Commissioner Vanu Gopala Menon to lodge Malaysia's protest.

Lee's remarks about Johor were made in a Jan. 27 affidavit to a defamation suit brought against Singapore Workers' Party member Tang Liang Hong.

Tang fled to the state after accusing Singapore's leaders of lying in the campaign run-up to Singapore's January polls.

"Of all places, he (Tang) went to Johor. That place is notorious for shootings, muggings and car-jackings. It did not make any sense for a person who claims to be fearful of his life to go to a place like Johor," Lee said.

"I became very suspicious, Why would a person who claimed he needed police protection not go to see the police himself? If there is anywhere where people can do harm, that (Johor) is the place," Lee added.