Wednesday June 27, 2012

KL and Singapore to both handle case of diplomats at rally

SINGAPORE: The case of three Singaporean diplomats allegedly involved in the Bersih 3.0 rally in April will be handled by the home ministries of both countries.

Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Singapore and Malaysia had agreed that the respective ministries handle the matter pertaining to the illegal rally held on April 28.

He was speaking to reporters after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Drug Enforcement Cooperation between Malaysia and Singapore here yesterday.

On June 22, Singapore High Commissioner Ong Keng Yong was summoned to Wisma Putra over the alleged involvement of three diplomats from the commission in the Bersih 3.0 gathering.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said he had called Ong to his office to convey the displeasure of the Malaysian Government over the trio’s participation in the gathering.

Hishammuddin and Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean signed the MoU on drug enforcement cooperation on behalf of both the ministries at Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs.

The key areas of focus under the MoU include strengthening capabilities of the enforcement agencies through joint training and mutual exchanges, and having frequent joint investigations and operations.

In his speech, Teo said Malaysia and Singapore had enjoyed “very good cooperation” over the past decade in conducting about 50 combined operations against drugs.

He noted that the signing of the MoU cemented the relationship and provided a strong foundation for both countries to move forward in tackling the drug problem.

Hishammuddin said the world was becoming “borderless and not one country nor one agency or ministry can overcome the issue of transnational crime”.

“So, we are starting with drugs. It is not a piece of paper that we are signing, it is about getting results.” — Bernama

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