Razali must give up business interests in Burma, says DAP
United Nations Special Envoy to Burma Razali Ismail should relinquish his interests in a Malaysian technology company or cancel the controversial deal signed by the company with the Burmese government, said an opposition leader today.
DAP International Secretary Teresa Kok said Razali should resign as chairman of IRIS Technologies to maintain his role as the peace-maker between the Burmese military government and National League of Democracy party leader Aung San Suu Kyi to avoid a conflict of interest.
"Razali Ismail has played an important role in the negotiations between the Burmese military junta and Aung San Suu Kyi's NLD. Unlike previous special envoys, Razali's mediations have been well accepted by the generals as well as Suu Kyi.
"Therefore, it is important for Razali to continue his role till the process of democratisation is realised in Burma," said Kok, Member of Parliament for Seputeh, in a press statement.
Razali recently courted controversy over reports that his company signed a deal to supply 5,000 chip-embedded passports to the Burmese government just weeks before securing an unconditional release for Suu Kyi after 19 months under house arrest.
Resignation not beneficial
Kok added that according to the May 7 edition of the International Herald Tribune , Razali had offered to resign from his company and from the peace initiative if officials of the United Nations, European Union and United States said his business deals with the Burmese government was a conflict of interest.
"His resignation from his present position in the UN will not be beneficial for the peace and democratisation process in Burma. Therefore, I urge Razali to seriously consider resigning from the chairmanship of IRIS Technologies or cancel the deal with the Burmese government," said Kok.
However on Monday, UN officials defended Razali saying that his dual role did not represent a conflict of interest as his contract did not stipulate any restrictions on business activities.
According to the UN, Razali was already chairperson of IRIS prior to his appointment as the special envoy to Burma. The company is said to have business dealings with all Asean countries, not just Burma.
IRIS, established in 1994, is one of the major information technology companies accorded special status in Malaysia's Multimedia Super Corridor. It is involved in smart card and chip technology and has supplied more than a million Malaysian high-tech passports since 1998.
Razali has a 30 percent share in the company. Other shareholders are the Berjaya group (50.5 percent) and IRIS Corporation (19.5 percent).
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