KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 ― The Israeli diplomat who attended the World Urban Forum here last month was the only participant not received by Wisma Putra and security officials, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said today.

Speaking during question time in the Dewan Rakyat today, Reezal said the Malaysian had no involvement in David Roet's visit, which he said was organised entirely by a United Nations agency.

“The status of Malaysia and Israel's relations didn’t change. The attendance of the Israeli diplomat should not be seen as efforts for Malaysia and Israel to have diplomatic relations,” he said while answering Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh).

“Our police also did not provide security (for the representative). He was the only participant invited directly by the UN,” he said.

Advertisement

Roet’s presence in Malaysia led to criticism and claims that Malaysia is opening its diplomatic channels with Israel.

However, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman previously rejected the allegations and said Roet had been here solely due to the UN’s policy to invite all member nations to any event that it organises.