KUALA LUMPUR – The presence of three embassy officials from prominent nations at Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia’s (Putra) annual general meeting today has raised eyebrows.
One of them, from the Pakistani embassy, had a curt response when asked about his attendance.
“We came because we were invited. Why is the media concerned about this?” said the official, who wanted to be named only as Rana.
The other two officials are from the Iranian and Turkish embassies.
At the beginning of Putra president Datuk Ibrahim Ali’s speech, he introduced the embassy officials to attendees.
“I would like to thank the embassy representatives from Iran, Turkey and Pakistan. Three great Islamic nations. We invited these countries because they look after Muslims.”
This is not the first time that foreign officials have met the opposition.
It was reported that European Union ambassadors met Pakatan Harapan leaders in early 2018.
Former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman had slammed the EU over the move, and said while nothing could be done to stop foreign officials from carrying out diplomatic activities, Malaysia would take firm action to protect its sovereignty.
Putra is only a little more than a year old.
When its establishment was announced last year, the Malay party said it aimed to have 400,000 members by its first AGM – a fraction of Umno’s 3.2 million-strong membership. – The Vibes, December 12, 2020
