KL says it's safe despite travel warnings

KL says it's safe despite travel warnings

Reuters, Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia said on Monday the country was peaceful and security remained good, despite travel warnings issued by the Australian and British governments in the wake of this month's bomb blasts in neighboring Bali.

Australia and Britain have told their nationals traveling in Southeast Asia to be extra vigilant after the bomb attacks that killed more than 180 people, mainly tourists from the two countries, in the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Oct. 12.

But Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said other governments should check with Malaysia first before sounding alarms.

"Foreign governments should be able to get a convincing feedback that this country is safe and peaceful," the Bernama news agency quoted Abdullah as telling reporters.

Abdullah's comments came after Australia announced on Sunday it was postponing two events in Kuala Lumpur over worries about security risks after the Bali bombings.

Australia withdrew from a film festival and canceled an education fair promoting its schools and colleges, after issuing new travel warnings late last week for several countries in the region, including Malaysia.

"I sincerely regret that we have to make this decision," Australia's acting High Commissioner Nic Brown said in a statement announcing the postponements.

The British travel advisory told travelers to be extra careful congregating in public places like nightclubs, bars, restaurants and places of worship.

Australia took a similar line, but stopped short of urging its citizens to leave Malaysia, as it did for neighboring Indonesia.

Fear of traveling to the region also forced a U.S.-Malaysia joint-venture to put off plans for an international gathering to mark the recent opening of a chemicals plant on Malaysia's northeast coast.

Optimal Chemicals (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, a venture between Malaysian state oil firm Petronas and U.S.-based Dow Chemical Co., canceled plans to bring around 300 international clients to its plant in Kertih, after several Australians and Americans decided not to make the trip.

"Since the people are not traveling, the company has decided to postpone the event," one source told Reuters.

Optimal officials could not be reached for comment.