No decision on closing 30 embassies - Reezal Merican

The government has not made any decision on closing 30 embassies as alleged by some quarters, said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

He said embassies were important towards ensuring Malaysia's foreign policies with the countries concerned continued to be protected.

According to him, Malaysia had 108 foreign missions, a number far lower than Indonesia and Thailand.

"The government undertakes studies from time to time related to the country's need for foreign missions.

"Even if we feel there isn't a need for a foreign mission, an accredited envoy is necessary to ensure Malaysia's foreign policies with the countries concerned are preserved," he said when winding up debate on the Supplementary Supply Bill (2016) 2017 at the committee stage for his ministry in the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday.

Earlier, Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad (Amanah-Kuala Terengganu) had raised the issue when debating the bill. -- Bernama