OPPOSITION LEADERS WARN BRITISH PM AHEAD OF MEETING WITH MALAYSIAN PM?
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Opposition leaders have criticized
the timing of British Prime Minister David Cameron's visit to Malaysia next
week, saying it could send a signal that Downing Street was indifferent to
allegations surrounding Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the 1Malaysia Development
Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Britain's Financial Times (FT) quoted PKR vice-president
Nurul Izzah Anwar as saying that Cameron’s visit could show the UK government
was not concerned about “the current scandal-ridden ground on which Najib
treads”, while DAP's Tony Pua warned that any support to Najib would taint
Britain's image "as a country which supports democratic principles and
good governance”.- But a British official appeared to defend the visit, saying Cameron believed in engaging with all leaders.
- "He has said that the way to talk about issues is to have an engaging relationship and try and work with countries.
Malaysia is a longstanding partner of the UK and the
relationship is important for our prosperity and security, FT quoted a
source in Downing Street as saying.
The Najib government is currently battling allegations of
mismanagement and corruption surrounding his brainchild, 1MDB,
which has raked
up debts up to RM42
billion.
Source: The Malaysian Insider
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