'Race row not harming ties'

'Race row not harming ties'

MELBOURNE (Reuter): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has reassured Australia that ties between the two nations remain intact despite isolated incidents of racial abuse against young Malaysians studying here.

Mahathir, who warned last month that Malaysia might recall its students from Australia, wrote to an Australian state premier expressing confidence that local authorities are ensuring the safety of Malaysian students.

"I am glad that the Australians are as concerned about this matter as are Malaysians," Mahathir wrote in the letter released in Melbourne yesterday.

The letter was released by Victoria Premier Jeff Kennett, who had written to Mahathir after the Malaysian leader warned that thousands of students could be summoned home from Australia's university and school campuses.