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Sunday, September 27, 2015

Withdraw summons, Putrajaya told

Putrajaya should withdraw its summons to Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang for an explanation of his remarks during a visit to Petaling Street on Friday, said the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Hua Zong).

In defending the Chinese envoy, Hua Zong president Tan Sri Pheng Yin Huah said Huang's visit to the tourist stretch popularly known as Chinatown was to showcase that the area was safe, since it was one of places visited by Chinese tourists.

"The government should not call the ambassador for an explanation.

"We urge the prime minister to be concerned over this and order the Foreign Affairs Ministry to cancel its move to call the ambassador for an explanation," he said in a statement.

Hua Zong is the umbrella body of Chinese guilds and associations in Malaysia.
The Star Online reported yesterday that Wisma Putra is summoning the ambassador tomorrow following his visit to Petaling Street where he had reportedly warned those who used violence to disrupt public order in the country.

"Malaysia views his remarks seriously. It is tantamount to interfering in Malaysia's domestic affairs," an unnamed official was quoted as saying by the English site.

Former MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu had said Dr Huang's visit, though well-meaning, is counter-productive, unnecessary and can be manipulated to the detriment of the country's frayed racial harmony.

The Chinese embassy, however, yesterday issued a statement, saying that Huang's visit was an act of goodwill and the envoy had no intention of interfering in Malaysia's domestic affairs.

Pheng said the Chinese officials have always been firm in sticking to the principle of non-interference when it comes to the domestic affairs of other countries.

He said Huang's speech on Friday clearly stated he wished for Malaysia and China, which had enjoyed good relations, to maintain its friendly ties.

He said the speech also stressed that it is healthy for different ethnic groups in Malaysia to live together peacefully.

Petaling Street was the scene of chaos on September 16 when police had to use water cannons to disperse a crowd of “red shirt” protesters who wanted to force their way into the area.

One of the leaders of the rally, Datuk Jamal Md Yunos, had earlier warned that the group of protesters will turn up again in Chinatown yesterday to demand the authorities raid the traders who he alleged were involved in selling fake goods and running other illegal businesses.

The Sungai Besar Umno division leader later denied any involvement in the rally, saying it was never his intention to cause alarm among traders and visitors to the area.

He was arrested by police on Friday night to facilitate investigations into his alleged statement that there would be a riot at Petaling Street yesterday. He was released last night.

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