Najib denies breaking out red carpet for LKY

(Bernama) — Malaysia did not over welcome Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew during his eight-day visit to the country early this month, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The prime minister said Lee was not accorded more than what he deserved.

“I don’t think we gave him more than (what) he deserved,” he told reporters after opening the 7th Heads of Mission Conference at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here today. He said this when answering a question on whether Malaysia had over welcomed the minister mentor.

Najib said he did not think Lee wanted to interfere in the country’s internal affairs when the latter made some comments.

“I don’t think so… (that) he wanted to interfere. I think he knows that any suggestion that he is trying to interfere would be counter-productive.

“His visit was for a fact-finding tour of the situation in Malaysia. We allowed it,” added the prime minister.

On whether Lee’s comment that Penang’s development was way behind Perak could be seen as insinuating, Najib said: “He made a few comments and overall, he wants to see Malaysia succeed, a stable Malaysia. That is most important.

“How he does it, is the style of the man and I think we have to recognise every person as being different.”

Lee had an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Sultan Azlan Shah of Perak, as well as meeting Najib and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during the visit which began on June 9.

He also visited Negeri Sembilan, Perak, Penang, Kelantan and Pahang.