Malay rights group Perkasa today hit out at Singapore for disrespecting Malaysias sovereignty and demanded the island republic formally apologise for its alleged espionage activities. Perkasa Youth chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris questioned the need for Singapore to investigate Malaysia, and why they wanted to know what was happening here. Singapores behaviour has been nothing short of despicable and also shows that they have no regard for our countrys sovereignty, he said. A group of Perkasa Youth members held a protest outside the Singapore High Commission today and handed over a memorandum demanding an apology from the island republic. Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia Ong Keng Yong denied the spying claims and said that the republic meant no harm at all. However, a sceptical Irwan insisted that Singapore desists its espionage activities as it would jeopardise bilateral relations between the two countries. The alleged espionage is not impossible as we have already seen what is happening between Australia and Indonesia, they are also having similar issues, Irwan said. He pointed out that Indonesia was outraged at revelations that Australia had allegedly spied on the country and had threatened to cut beef imports. In the wake of revelations of Australias alleged spying activities, Indonesian authorities had said that the incident had damaged the trust between both countries. Indonesia is now exploring its options of importing beef from other countries instead of Australia. Perkasa’s memorandum was accepted by the Singapore High Commissions first secretary Tan Chee King and first political secretary Harris Rusdi Chai. Top secret documents leaked by United States intelligence whistle-blower Edward Snowden have been rocking countries around the globe following disclosure of espionage activities. One of Snowdens documents showed that Singapore was a key partner of the 5-Eyes intelligence group led by the United States. The United States is alleged to have tapped telephones and monitored communications networks in Kuala Lumpur. Singapore is alleged to have been a key third party in providing the group, comprising the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with access to Malaysias communications. Australian media group Fairfax Media claimed that both Malaysia and Indonesia had been key targets for Australian and Singaporean intelligence agencies since the 1970s. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Australias intelligence agency was using its diplomatic missions in several Asian countries, including Malaysia, to intercept phone calls and internet data.
Posted on: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:09:04 +0000
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