KL minister spurns S'pore demand

KL minister spurns S'pore demand

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Malaysia's minister of tourism has refused
to apologize after criticizing Singapore for allegedly excluding
Malaysia from a list of coveted tourist destinations, a local
newspaper reported yesterday.

The dispute between the two Southeast Asian neighbors was
sparked last week. Malaysian Minister of Tourism Sabbaruddin Chik
alleged a conference organizer in Singapore deliberately excluded
Malaysia from a brochure of countries to be visited by delegates
to an upcoming convention.

On Saturday, Singapore's Minister without Portfolio Lim Boon
Heng said Sabbaruddin should apologize for "totally unwarranted"
comments.

"Why should I apologize?," Sabbaruddin was quoted as saying in
Tuesday's Star newspaper. "The organizers should apologize to
Malaysia for excluding us from their brochure."