Malaysia is not threatened by the accusation that it has carried out 'ethnic cleansing' of the Indian Malaysian community, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Salang Anak Gandum ( left ) said no country would believe that Malaysia has done this.

"The whole world will not believe it. If the accusation related to ethnic cleansing is true, why would people from other countries come here?" he asked.

"Only Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force), which represents a few people, says that ethnic cleansing is taking place in Malaysia. Many people of the same race (Indian) do not think so.

"The minorities in Sabah and Sarawak also do not think that they are oppressed, but these people, once they are rich and comfortable, accuse us of carrying out ethnic cleansing."

Joseph said that, although Malaysia had been accused of various issues, it has never felt threatened by any of the accusations.

He was replying a supplementary question from Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar (BN-Larut) who asked what the ministry was doing to ward off the accusation.

"It seems that a Hindraf leader has gone abroad to garner support for the organisation," he said, referring to chairperson P Waythamoorthy ( photo ) who is said to be lobbying for support for the Indian Malaysian cause from leaders in other countries.

"We need to know how these lies are going to affect us and also other Muslim countries. What action has the ministry taken to counter accusations, especially the negative impression (created) by the allegation that ethnic cleansing is carried out here?"

All ministries urged to rebut Hindraf

Raja Ahmad further noted that Hindraf leaders have accused Malaysia of ill-treating visitors from other countries.

"Will Wisma Putra appoint officers in other countries where we can directly explain to them that the accusations are baseless?" he asked.

Responding, Joseph explained that the ministry has taken steps to rebut Hindraf's accusations.

However, he said that it is not just the Foreign Ministry's duty to shore up Malaysia's image abroad.

"Other ministries and the general public must also work hand in hand to address this issue," he added.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has already hit back at the allegations raised by Hindraf in a memorandum to the British government.