Minister's remarks draw media fire

Minister's remarks draw media fire

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Relations between Kuala Lumpur and London ran into further problems yesterday with Malaysia demanding clarification of remarks made by visiting British Trade Minister Richard Needham.

Malaysia wants Britain to clarify Needham's statement earlier this week that Britain will be pressured to retaliate the longer Malaysia continues with its policy of banning British companies from Malaysian government contracts.

"Britain must clarify," screamed yesterday's front-page headline of The New Straits Times newspaper, which is generally seen to reflect government thinking.

The newspaper quoted Malaysia's Acting Foreign Minister Abu Hassan Omar as saying the Foreign Ministry will seek clarification as soon as possible from the British government.

Needham's remarks were made in an interview with Reuters and the Financial Times.

"The longer they leave it ... the more likelihood there is of retaliation by the British side," Needham said at the end of his second visit to Malaysia in as many months. "The longer it goes on, the more voices will be raised against it."