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.