PKR is demanding an official explanation from the Singapore government on the content of  leaked diplomatic cables which detailed the island republic’s officials’ scathing opinions of Malaysia.

NONE Its vice-president, Tian Chua, said that recently disclosed cables contained opinions from Singapore’s senior politicians and diplomats which were highly offensive to Malaysians.

“The Singapore government must explain whether this reflects their official view and who are their sources,” Chua told reporters after submitting a letter to Singapore high commissioner T Jasudasen.

On Sunday, an Australian newspaper carried reports on several cables related to Malaysia that were provided by whistleblower website WikiLeaks.

NONE The cables, reportedly dated 2008 to 2009, had detailed Singaporean officials claiming that Malaysia’s developmental decline lacked a competent leadership.   

Another cable reportedly contained a Singapore government senior leader’s criticism of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, branding him an “opportunist” and claiming that he was involved in a murder case.

In another cable reported by the Sun Herald , Lee Kuan Yew and other officials had claimed that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim had knowingly walked into a sex trap .

‘Singapore actively badmouthing us’

In his letter, Chua said that it was also insulting for Singapore to inaccurately tell other countries that Malaysia was on the brink of ethnic riots.

He said that the cables show that Singapore’s political leaders and diplomats had been actively communicating such material to the international community.

“One cannot help but interpret that Singapore is actively engaging in a covert exercise to undermine Malaysia’s international standing.

“As a Malaysian, despite my differences with the ruling parties, I find it extremely offensive when a foreign government deliberately spreads unverified information to tarnish my country’s image,” he said.

However, he said that Singapore can still mend relations with Malaysia should it quickly clarify its position on the contents of the leak cables.

Chua’s letter was submitted to Singapore High Commission first secretary Walter Chia, who declined comment on what he described as “leaked information”.

Chua was accompanied by fellow PKR member and Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne.

The leaked cables have put a strain on Anwar, who has brushed off the allegations, adding that Singapore’s intelligence unit must have sourced their information from their Malaysian counterparts and therefore form part of a larger conspiracy against him.

Yesterday, Najib also called on Malaysians to ignore contemptuous remarks found in the cables and remain focused on achieving the nation’s goals.