Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Asked if Antony had raised the issue of alleged discrimination against Indians and Hindus in the country, Syed Hamid said he had not.
PTI says:
India and Malaysia today discussed the plight of ethnic Indians, who had been protesting against the government alleging their marginalisation in this multi-racial country.
The issue came up during talks Defence Minister A K Antony had with his counterpart Najib Razak here.
However, the two leaders did not reveal details of their discussions on the issue.
"He is aware of the political situation. Let's leave it at that," Najib told reporters at a joint press conference after the meeting.
When Indian journalists sought his remarks, Antony declined to comment.
So who said what? Maybe Syed Albar did not hear the discussion properly or the reporters misunderstood his comments.
India, Malaysia discuss ethnic Indian issue
By PTI : Monday January 7, 04:26 PM
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 7 (PTI) India and Malaysia today discussed the plight of ethnic Indians, who had been protesting against the government alleging their marginalisation in this multi-racial country.
The issue came up during talks Defence Minister A K Antony had with his counterpart Najib Razak here.
However, the two leaders did not reveal details of their discussions on the issue.
"He is aware of the political situation. Let's leave it at that," Najib told reporters at a joint press conference after the meeting.
When Indian journalists sought his remarks, Antony declined to comment.
The Hindu Rights Action Front (Hindraf), a non- governmental group, had organised a massive rally attended by over 20,000 ethnic Indians here on November 25 to protest their alleged marginalisation in this country. The allegation has been denied by the government.
Authorities took into custody scores of people following the assembly, declared "illegal" by the government. Five leaders of Hindraf are still in detention under the controversial Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows holding people without trial for a long period of time.
Asean-India FTA talks enter final stage
PUTRAJAYA: Discussions on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Asean and India are in the final stage with only one more outstanding issue to resolve.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said once the issue – which centred on the export of palm oil from the region to India – had been resolved, the FTA would be signed.
“A feasibility study on a separate FTA between India and Malaysia has also been completed and discussions on the matter have started between our International Trade and Industry Ministry and India’s Ministry of Commerce.
“Both our Prime Ministers had in a previous meeting stated that they wanted discussions on the agreement to be concluded as soon as possible,” he told reporters after meeting India’s Defence Minister A.K. Antony at his office here yesterday.
Syed Hamid said Antony had also expressed the Indian government’s wish to play a greater role in its relationship with Asean.
“They hope to see Malaysia’s support on that matter,” he said, adding that the Indian government also hoped to see a “broadening” of the existing relationship, particularly in defence and trade matters.
Asked if Antony had raised the issue of alleged discrimination against Indians and Hindus in the country, Syed Hamid said he had not.
“In fact, he said India hopes to learn from the Malaysian experience and development model. The matter raised by Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) is a domestic matter,” he said.
