Finally, Wisma Putra chides US, Australia envoys over spying claims
(MMO) – Three days after news leaked that the US and Australia had purportedly used their diplomatic missions here to spy on Malaysia, Wisma Putra finally summoned the US ambassador and Australian High Commissioner yesterday to formally file a protest.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said in a statement today that he had met with Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Perth yesterday and told his counterpart that spying against “close friends” is not done as it could “severely damage” relations.
“In response, Minister Bishop informed that it is not the policy of the Australian government to comment on intelligence matters,” said Anifah in a statement released by his office yesterday.
However, the minister accepted the concerns raised by Malaysia on the matter and assured that the Australian government places high importance on the close bilateral relations with Malaysia,” he added.
Anifah also said that Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, represented by Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim, handed a protest note to Australian High Commissioner Miles Kupa and US Deputy Chief of Mission, Lee McClenny, representing the US ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun, who was out of town.
Yun reportedly said recently that surveillance activities carried out by the US worldwide was to identify potential leads on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
