‘NO MALAYSIAN ROLE IN ARMS SALES’
It’s better to work with other countries that have links with us, says Hisham
DEFENCE Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has denied allegations of Malaysia’s involvement in selling weapons from North Korea.
“That is not true... not that I know. I have no links with North Korea anyway, but that doesn’t mean we are not associated with other powers.
“I mean, better work with countries that have links with us and build on that.
“We saw all these engagements with the Saudis, the French president, the Dutch prime minister, who are coming for the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace exhibition (Lima) at the end of the month.
“We can see the cooperation that we have in Lima and Asean.
“So, why worry with the nonlink up with North Korea when we have so many areas we can build on.”
Hishammuddin said Malaysians need not worry about the heated diplomatic row between Malaysia and North Korea.
He said the government was prepared to face any possibility that may occur due to the tension.
“Don’t think that we are dependent only on our own assets. We have close allies and bilateral relationships with many countries. For example, during the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 tragedy, we didn’t have assets to find the missing plane, but at that moment, 26 countries came forward to help us with search-andrescue operations.
“This is our advantage, so don’t worry so much about the assets in our country,” he said.
Hishammuddin said the issue needed to be seen from a “fair viewpoint”.
“Other international issues are actually more prominent compared with the death of Jongnam at klia2,” he said at Parliament lobby.