The government must make a formal application to the United Nations to investigate the charge by a Malaysian diplomat that a 'white' policy existed in its East Timor mission, said an opposition leader today.

In a press statement, DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang said UN secretary-general Kofi Annan must be asked to look into the calim that the world body's mission there had turned into a "white mission".

Yesterday, the Malaysian diplomat, N Parameswaran who was the chief of staff of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (Untaet), said he had quit his post and cited racism as one of the reasons.

In his resignation letter to Annan, Parameswaran said that Untaet had failed to live up to the UN's cherished principle of equitable geographical distribution.

"Untaet has become very much a white mission, an Eastern mission with a Western face," said Parameswaran.

He added there had been an increase in Western influence without any action from the world body to recruit people who know more about the region.

Full endorsement

Meanwhile, Lim today said the government should give full endorsement to Parameswaran's protest resignation.

"(Even) Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the reason of racism seemed to be justified," said the veteran politician in a statement.

The premier was reported to have said this in the New Straits Times today. However, Mahathir was also quoted as saying that he needed to get more details on the matter from Parameswaran.

With Parameswaran's resignation, there are now no high-level Asian representation in the mission which was set up to overlook the transfer of power from Indonesia to East Timor after the latter gained independence last year.

The resignation will take effect from Jan 13, eight days before his contract expires.

Parameswaran, a foreign ministry official was seconded to head the mission since Jan 17 last year.