Singapore High Commissioner Ong Keng Yong was summoned to Wisma Putra today on the involvement of three diplomats from the commission in the Bersih 3.0 gathering on April 28.  

In a statement issued in Kuala Lumpur, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said he had called Ong to his office this evening, to convey the displeasure of the Malaysian government over the trio's participation in the gathering.

NONE Anifah ( left ) said the ministry had received reports from the Malaysian authorities on the participation of the three diplomats in the rally.

"As foreign minister, I regard this matter with utmost seriousness," he said.

In the meeting with Ong, Anifah said he explained the position of the Malaysian government that the direct participation of diplomats in the rally was an inappropriate move.

In his meeting with the heads of Asean diplomatic missions on June 11, he said, he raised the issue of the involvement of foreign diplomats during the Bersih 3.0 gathering, in that it might lead to negative perception of the good relations between Malaysia and the respective countries.

Anifah said he also stressed to Ong that the ministry would not hesitate to take stronger diplomatic action against errant diplomats.

He said the ministry understood all diplomatic missions in Malaysia had the responsibility to monitor developments in this country and report to their respective governments.

NONE Nevertheless, he said, diplomats must also be mindful of the sensitivities of the host country.

"I also believe, diplomats need not be directly involved in (such)  gatherings," he added.

In Singapore today, the republic’s government dismissed allegations in the Malaysian media and some online reports that it interferes in Malaysia’s domestic politics.

Local television Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry as saying that such allegations were "baseless".

This follows allegations that Singapore officials were involved in the recent Bersih 3.0 protests.

There were also reports that some youths were being trained in Singapore as polling and counting agents for the upcoming Malaysian general election.

In a statement today, the ministry said its officers were present at the Bersih 3.0 rally as impartial observers.

The spokesman said their presence was "part of their normal professional diplomatic duties".

The officers did not wear yellow to avoid being mistaken as rally participants, he added.

- Bernama