Malaysia warns foreign embassies

Malaysia warns foreign embassies

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): The Malaysian government, which last month accused diplomats of funding opposition politicians in the elections, warned all foreign missions on Tuesday to refrain from supporting local political parties.

"We are sending a note to all foreign missions in this country informing them that we take strong exception to foreign missions providing moral and financial support to local political parties and NGOs associated with these parties," foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters.

Last month the government told envoys from Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States not to interfere in its internal affairs following allegations they had given money to opposition parties ahead of last week's general election.

The four embassies denied the allegations, and diplomats privately accused Malaysian government officials of trying to gain political advantage by stirring up anti-foreign feelings. Canada, however, said it had supported non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in monitoring the Nov. 29 polls.