KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 11 ― Any diplomats meeting local political leaders cannot be construed as an endorsement of the latter, the United States ambassador to Malaysia said.

US ambassador Kamala Shirin Lakhdir told Sunday Star that diplomats gain feedback to maintain good bilateral relations with the government of the day regardless of which party is in power, and that dialogues with Opposition lawmakers and politicians are standard practice worldwide. 

The statement was made in response to the paper's query about a recent meeting between more than a dozen European Union (EU) envoys and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former prime minister-turned opposition leader.

"I will speak as the American ambassador as I can't speak for them. The role of ambassadors and embassy personnel is to meet with people across Malaysia, including other political parties,” Lakhdir said.

"That's the role of diplomats ― we meet with people in the government. We deal with NGOs, civil societies and journalists.

"And if we meet with Opposition or government figures, that is not an endorsement of their political ambitions. That is what we do as diplomats and we do it worldwide”.

An EU delegation held a two-hour meeting with Dr Mahathir last month at the residence of Maria Castillo Fernández, the EU’s ambassador and head of delegation to Malaysia, according to news reports.

Among the issues reportedly discussed were the EU’s initiative to observe the 14th general election following an invitation by the federal government.

In response, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman described the meeting as an invitation for foreign interference in local affairs, New Straits Times reported.

Anifah said in a statement the meeting had also affected the dignity and sovereignty of the nation.

Dr Mahathir had raised negative issues related to the country, the state-backed English daily reported.