KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will explain Putrajaya’s position on a Chinese envoy’s remarks in Petaling Street here that triggered a diplomatic row, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said today.
The second international trade and industry minister said it is better that others refrain from commenting further on the issue and allow Ahmad Zahid to issue the statement.
"These two countries have been in good relation, they are not hostile nations, that means there is no political intention behind this," he told reporters after launching the productivity month and University of Malaya online-business academy here.
'The deputy prime minister will issue a statement, so I will leave it to him," he said, after saying the Foreign Affairs Ministry was the correct entity to deal with the matter.
Last Friday, the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang read out a statement during his walkabout at the area known as Chinatown, saying that Beijing would not hesitate to speak out against any threat that may affect the country’s ties with Malaysia.
His remarks were made a day before a planned rally by a pro-government group that was reported to be demanding more Malay participation in the touristy shopping street.
An Umno leader who expressed fears of possible rioting at the rally was arrested the same day and held overnight, resulting in the rally being called off.
Huang’s statement drew accusations of interference in Malaysia’s affairs, which eventually led to Wisma Putra reportedly summoning him to explain his remarks.
Previously balmy, Sino-Malaysian ties are still on the mend following last year’s disappearance of Malaysia Airline Flight MH370, which was carrying mainly Chinese nationals.
