KUALA LUMPUR: Former United States ambassador to Malaysia John Malott should forge goodwill between the two nations instead of meddling in Malaysia's domestic affairs.Businessman and former Consultation and Corruption Prevention Panel (CCPP) member Tan Sri Robert Phang Miow Sin said Malott's legacy would have been more significant if he had left behind a high level of goodwill on which his successor could build.
"He has failed to do this. Further, he has made it uncomfortable for the current ambassador."An ambassador and the host nation must have mutual respect for each country's image on the world stage without stepping on each other," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.Phang came to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's defence over an article titled "Price of Malaysia's racism" written by Malott in the Wall Street Journal on Feb 8. Malott, who served here from 1995 to 1998, criticised the prime minister's 1Malaysia concept as being hypocritical, claiming "racial and religious tensions are higher today than when Najib took office in 2009".Phang said: "Najib is a dynamic person and I am sure he will be able to address all the allegations hurled against him. "He has the people's support to steer the country and their priorities in the right direction."
The philanthropist, who started the Social Care Foundation in 1986, recently resigned as CCPP member after a graft allegation against him."By relinquishing my post, it not only allows the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to conduct a thorough investigation but also sets an example to all those caught in graft investigations. "It is best to step down so that it does not jeopardise the investigation despite my panel members urging me to stay on," said Phang, adding that he had nothing to hide.Phang had allegedly bribed a secretary-general of a ministry before Hari Raya to induce the awarding of a RM900 million contract.
The allegations were posted on a blog. "I am prepared to be investigated. If I do not cooperate, there would always be doubts that the investigations were compromised."I chose to resign to preserve my integrity and that of the MACC." There were also claims that there was bad blood between him and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail after Phang urged Gani to clear the air over reports that he had gone on a pilgrimage with Shahidan Shafie, allegedly a proxy of former Malaysia Airlines chairman Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli.
(Tajuddin is being probed for graft after MAS recorded a loss of RM8 billion during his tenure between 1994 and 2001.) "I wish to clear this misunderstanding that I am attacking him (Gani). That is not the case."I have known Gani for more than 30 years. I do not hold any grudges against him. I don't have any reason to do so." Phang felt that Gani should set the record straight on the allegations."During one of the closed-door meetings between the commission and Gani, he (Gani) agreed to explain it to the public."
Source : http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/8rob/Article
"He has failed to do this. Further, he has made it uncomfortable for the current ambassador."An ambassador and the host nation must have mutual respect for each country's image on the world stage without stepping on each other," he told the New Straits Times yesterday.Phang came to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's defence over an article titled "Price of Malaysia's racism" written by Malott in the Wall Street Journal on Feb 8. Malott, who served here from 1995 to 1998, criticised the prime minister's 1Malaysia concept as being hypocritical, claiming "racial and religious tensions are higher today than when Najib took office in 2009".Phang said: "Najib is a dynamic person and I am sure he will be able to address all the allegations hurled against him. "He has the people's support to steer the country and their priorities in the right direction."
The philanthropist, who started the Social Care Foundation in 1986, recently resigned as CCPP member after a graft allegation against him."By relinquishing my post, it not only allows the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to conduct a thorough investigation but also sets an example to all those caught in graft investigations. "It is best to step down so that it does not jeopardise the investigation despite my panel members urging me to stay on," said Phang, adding that he had nothing to hide.Phang had allegedly bribed a secretary-general of a ministry before Hari Raya to induce the awarding of a RM900 million contract.
The allegations were posted on a blog. "I am prepared to be investigated. If I do not cooperate, there would always be doubts that the investigations were compromised."I chose to resign to preserve my integrity and that of the MACC." There were also claims that there was bad blood between him and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail after Phang urged Gani to clear the air over reports that he had gone on a pilgrimage with Shahidan Shafie, allegedly a proxy of former Malaysia Airlines chairman Tan Sri Tajuddin Ramli.
(Tajuddin is being probed for graft after MAS recorded a loss of RM8 billion during his tenure between 1994 and 2001.) "I wish to clear this misunderstanding that I am attacking him (Gani). That is not the case."I have known Gani for more than 30 years. I do not hold any grudges against him. I don't have any reason to do so." Phang felt that Gani should set the record straight on the allegations."During one of the closed-door meetings between the commission and Gani, he (Gani) agreed to explain it to the public."
Source : http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/8rob/Article
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