Malaysia viewing German embassy funding to Suaram seriously

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 9 — Wisma Putra has underlined its concern to German envoy Dr Guenther Georg Gruber over the embassy's funding of Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd (SISB), a company directly linked to non-governmental organisation (NGO), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).

The ambassador, during a meeting with the foreign ministry's deputy secretary-general (bilateral relations) over the issue last Friday, was also told that Malaysia was deeply disappointed to learn that the embassy had funded Suaram. "

It was pointed out that Malaysia takes exception to such an action by the German Embassy because it can be misconstrued and be seen as interference in the domestic affairs of Malaysia," said a Wisma Putra statement. It said foreign missions should be mindful of the sensitivities of the host country, and how good relations were conducted and maintained, adding that they should not get involved in activities which had implications on Malaysia's domestic situation.

The statement added that during the meeting, Gruber had clarified that the embassy, as a matter of policy, had never provided funding directly to any organisation or institution. — Bernama