Defence Minister Hishamuddin Hussein believes the red shirt rally on Sept 16 played a role by "balancing" the rallies the country experienced so far.

He was asked to comment on whether the red shirt rally, held two weeks ago, had in one way or another, affected the country's unity.

"No, I think it is a balanced reaction," he told a press conference in Sungai Besi today.

Although Hishammuddin did not specify what he meant, the red shirt rally, also dubbed Himpunan Rakyat Bersatu, was called to counter the Bersih rally which was predominantly attended by ethnic Chinese protesters.

"You have to be relieved. I'm just relieved that both Bersih and the red shirts did not create an incident that caused any worse situation...

"If they break the law, it is clear that you will have to face the consequences," he said.

Hishamuddin was also asked to comment on another planned red shirt rally, which its leader Jamal Md Yunos ( photo ) had announced will be held in Kajang soon.

"I don't speculate but if there is, I will comment on that when it happens, if it happens," he said.

Ties between China and Malaysia strong

Meanwhile, Hishamuddin was asked whether the incident involving China ambassador Huang Huikang ( photo ) had affected bilateral relations between China and Malaysia.

"I believe that bilateral ties between China and Malaysia is always strong and will continue to be strong.

"Let the diplomatic channels resolve the issue [...] But going to your question, I don't think it will affect the bilateral relations," he told reporters today.

Pressed further whether the issue had affected the country's bilateral relations, he said: "[...]If it does bring problems on the issue of security and defence, it would have come to me, but it didn't.

"So I believe that it's not so serious that it will affect the defense arrangements between Malaysia and China, unless other people who want to turn it to be that way."

Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Naina Merican today lashed out at those who accused him of breaching protocol in calling Huang.

While not mentioning names, the statement is clearly directed at Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz who said Reezal ( photo ) had broken protocol by summoning Huang.

Nazri said only an acting foreign minister can do so, in the absence of the foreign minister.

He has since admitted that this was a mistake as he was not aware that Foreign Minister Anifah Aman had been consulted. Nazri added that he did not mean to interfere in Wisma Putra's affairs.

Huang, during his Sept 25 visit to Petaling Street, said China will not intervene in domestic affairs but will not sit idle if China's interests are affected.

Huang was summoned to meet Anifah's former deputy, and now Acting Foreign Minister, Hamzah Zainuddin, yesterday.

However there was much confusion about the meeting, as it was initially reported that it had been cancelled.

There was further confusion on the matter when Huang denied that Wisma Putra had called him in, as reported by Sin Chew Daily yesterday.

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