Stop being meek, Anwar tells goverment after spy scandal exposé
(MM) – Putrajaya’s delay in protesting against the US and Australia for eavesdropping on its Malaysian ally does not bode well for the country’s sovereignty, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim suggested today.
The opposition leader chided Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman for their silence towards the two global economic giants who were recently exposed as having spied on their allied nations, including Malaysia, though their diplomatic missions here.
”I am appalled by the meekness of the prime minister and the foreign minister for not able to respond to the issue of spying,” he told reporters in Parliament here.
”We want Putrajaya to respond to this immediately and lodge a strong protest to the US ambassador. We do not condone or tolerate any spying in our country,” Anwar added,
The Permatang Pauh MP pointed out that countries like Brazil had sent a strong protest signal against the US when its president cancelled a scheduled trip to Washington following allegations of American spying.
While Malaysia’s neighbours Indonesia and Thailand have lodged formal protests, Putrajaya’s reply has remained muted so far.
Yesterday, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the government would “study” the spying allegations first before deciding its course of action.
On the heels of the US espionage storm, the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) today reported that Australia’s electronic intelligence agency was using its diplomatic missions to spy on its Asian neighbours.
Citing new information disclosed by intelligence whistleblower Edward Snowden and a former Australian intelligence officer, the Australian newspaper also reported that clandestine surveillance facilities at embassies were carried out without the knowledge of most Australian diplomats.
SMH’s revelations come as Washington D.C. was left red-faced by global news reports it had been eavesdropping on allies, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Australian Greens leader Christine Milne yesterday called for the Australian government to review its intelligence gathering methods.
Previously Anwar demanded that Putrajaya lodge a protest against the US for using its KL embassy to listen in on Malaysian leaders.
“People are disgusted with the way that the intelligence apparatus are being used to spy… latest of course in Spain,” the opposition leader told The Malay Mail Online.
“I think the Malaysian intelligence, in particular the prime minister, should not be seen to be so submissive and not prepared to say anything.
“They must lodge a protest, there is no reason for any country, foreign country, whether it’s United States or any other country to be involved in any internal espionage in any country.”
Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob from the ruling Barisan Nasional has also criticised the US for using its KL embassy to run a monitoring station to tap telephones and monitor communications networks, describing it as “immoral” and called for protest should the allegation be true.
He said although the Cabinet will have the last say, the rural and aggro-based industries minister said Putrajaya should immediately send a protest note to Washington if the accusations are verified.
