Be a friend, Ambassador Yun!

"Despite the interest of external parties on the subject, any decisions of the government on the (Sedition) Act are an internal matter and any unwarranted comments on the decisions of the government would be regarded as interference in the country’s internal affairs. The Government of Malaysia remains committed to maintaining peace, stability and harmony in the country and safeguarding the multiracial and multicultural values, norms and practices"- Anifah Aman

Malaysia regrets the comments made by the United States ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun on the latest developments relating to Malaysian government’s decision to retain the Sedition Act 1948.

Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman said given the nation’s unwavering position on moderation and tolerance, Malaysia is disappointed that the US Ambassador had chosen to highlight his unwarranted comments on the decisions of the Government.

Yun is said to have made the remarks in an interview with an online news portal.

“Wisma Putra summoned the US Ambassador to the Ministry on 10 December 2014 to explain the US’s position on the matter,” Anifah said in a statement.
“The Sedition Act 1948 does not hinder a vibrant democracy. The Act is a preventive measure to ensure that no parties would incite religious and racial tension that could jeopardise peace and stability in the country, “ he added.
Malaysia calls on the US government to respect the internal affairs of the country and allow Malaysia the space, indispensable to all countries with maturing democracies, to ensure continued peace, security and stability in the country,” he said.
“Malaysia calls on the US government to respect the internal affairs of the country and allow Malaysia the space, indispensable to all countries with maturing democracies, to ensure continued peace, security and stability in the country,” he said.
Anifah said Malaysia wishes to remind all parties that the decision relating to the Sedition Act 1948 is a prerogative of the government. 

I am of the opinion that Ambassador Yun is not to be blamed entirely. He was just echoing the US foreign policy, which contains among others a 'provision to ridicule and find faults in other governments and cover up US domestic problems'.

Former ambassador John Malott was very successful. Even after leaving Malaysia in 1998, he still point his gun at the country. However, his successor Lynn Pascoe managed to cool off the situation.

We welcome any diplomats to Malaysia, including Yun. We understand his role and mission but he also needs to discover why we must keep the Sedition Act. Malaysia is not like the US and other countries.

We can't afford having too many Malotts in the diplomatic circle. I guess that's why Pascoe made it as the UN under-secretary general for his moderate diplomatic approach in countries he was posted to, unlike Malott.

It is advisable to clean up our house first before telling others to do so. Right? Or shall I say, 'let's clean our house together'... but will you endorse it?