Chinese ambassador's statement counter productive, unnecessary - Gan Ping Sieu

Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang visit to Petaling Street and his statement yesterday was counter productive, unnecessary and can be manipulated said former MCA vice-president Gan Ping Siew.

In a Facebook posting, the Kluang MCA division chief said Huang's visit to Petaling Street was also uncharacteristic of the usual tasks of an ambassador.

"I strongly believe the Petaling street visit gesture by His Excellency, well meaning as it may be, is counter productive, wholly unnecessary and could be manipulated by some racial hardliners to the detriment of our Nation's already fractured racial harmony," he wrote on his Facebook.

He said it was regrettable that some have distorted the words and non interference policy stand expressed by Huang in relation to the planned rally at Petaling Street on Saturday.

"However, it is also apparent that the remarks and the choice of words used by HE in stating his view on the attempted Red Shirt Rally 2 could easily be construed and perceived as expressing a stand on what is essentially our Nation's domestic affairs," he wrote.

"His visit to Petaling Street and meeting up with the traders and business leaders there,for festive season, moral encouragement or otherwise, are also uncharacteristic of the usual tasks , nor even in the usual course of diplomatic mission, of an ambassador," he wrote.

It was earlier reported that Wisma Putra is expected to summon Huang Huikang over his remarks deemed as meddling in Malaysia’s domestic affairs.

Huang will be called in to justify his statements on Monday.

During his walkabout at Petaling Street on Friday, a popular tourist destination also known as Chinatown, Huang was quoted as saying that China was against those who resort to violence to disrupt public order.

"The Chinese government has always pursued peaceful co-existence in international relationship and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” he was quoted saying, by Malaysiakini.

"But with regard to the infringement on China's national interests, violations of legal rights and interests of Chinese citizens and businesses which may damage the friendly relationship between China and the host country, we will not sit by idly," he was quoted saying.