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."