KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 — Singapore must submit proof and clear information if the allegation that it is involved in spying activities on Malaysia is not true.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government took a serious view on the allegation as Singapore was the closest neighbour and had close ties with Malaysia.

“Whatever information that we have, anything that concerns espionage that is mentioned by anyone related to our country is something that we don't take lightly.

“If Singapore says that this is not true, then it must provide us with information to refute the allegation and the proof that it is not true,” he told reporters after closing the Practical Training on National Cyber Crisis 2013 (X-Maya 5), here today.

He said such allegation should not have cropped up in view of the cordial relations that had been forged between Singapore and Malaysia for such a long time.

“True or not, an investigation (on the allegation) must be carried out.

“Whether there is any basis for it, the allegation must be scrutinised, studied and taken into account. But we treat such matters and allegations seriously,” he said.

Muhyiddin said he left it to the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, to handle the matter.

In a statement yesterday, the Foreign Ministry said it would call up Singapore's High Commissioner to Malaysia today to seek clarification on the allegation.

A news portal had earlier reported on the secret document leaked by a United States informant, Edward Snowden, disclosing that Singapore had helped an intelligence group who were alleged to be involved in spying activities on Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said his ministry took a serious view of the allegation as such action affected national soverignty.

“I don't deny Singapore's capability to carry out such intelligence and spying activities. This is not a new thing.

“We too have similar capability. But we are not prepared to spy on our friends especially when it touches on the question of integrity and national sovereignty,” he said in a statement today.

He described the move by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman to call up the Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia to give clarification on the allegation as a most appropriate move.

He said he would get the feedback on the outcome of the meeting. — Bernama