‘TIES WITH INDIA REMAIN GOOD’

India’s move to summon Malaysian envoy to seek clarification normal, says minister

THE bilateral relations between Malaysia and India remain good despite issues arising from the remarks made by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the latter’s citizenship law.

Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said India’s move to summon the high commissioner of Malaysia to India was a normal practice in efforts to seek clarification on Dr Mahathir’s statement on Dec 20 regarding the country’s recently approved citizenship legislation.

“I would describe this as normal (summoning top diplomat) when a country is unsatisfied or when there is an event or statement that requires clarification. Our High Commissioner Datuk Hidayat Abdul Hamid had stated our stand on the matter.

“Everything remains good between both countries and there are no issues of strained ties or problems arising from this matter. Our stand is simple — we want to establish ties with all countries, regardless of their background and ideology. We will not interfere in other countries’ internal affairs, but when there are issues that involve democracy, human rights and legislation, we have to give our opinions and views,” he said after inspecting the newly repaired escalators at the Kuantan Sentral Terminal here yesterday.

He said governments of the world were usually able to differentiate between a political statement made by leader of a country on a certain issue, and economic and business ties.

“Each country has its own stand on certain issues. One or two political statements could cause disagreement, but not to the extent of threatening bilateral ties. For example, both Malaysia and Myanmar continue to enjoy good ties despite our firm and vocal stand on issues involving the Rohingya community.”

India had described Dr Mahathir’s statement as “ill-informed and insensitive” when he was quoted as saying the South Asian state’s new law was regrettable as it was discriminatory towards Muslims.

India’s Parliament recently passed a bill that will give Indian citizenship to non-Muslim immigrants from three neighbouring countries — Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.