Wisma Putra to summon Chinese ambassador over Petaling Street remarks

Wisma Putra is expected to summon Chinese ambassador to Malaysia Dr Huang Huikang over his remarks deemed as meddling in Malaysia’s domestic affairs.

Huang will be called in to justify his statements on Monday, a Wisma Putra official told The Star, Saturday.

"Malaysia views his remarks seriously. It is tantamount to interfere in Malaysia's domestic affairs," the official, told the newspaper.

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 as saying, in an interview with news portal, 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," the portal reported.

It is believed that Huang's statement referred to Datuk Jamal Md Yunos's planned rally at Petaling Street on Satuday.

Rally organiser and president of the Malay Armed Forces Veterans Association, Mohd Ali Baharom also known as Ali Tinju on Friday confirmed that the rally had been called off to 'allow the authorities to react on demands made by Malay traders to be given permit to operate in Petaling Street.

Jamal was arrested by police last night under Section 105 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The Red Shirt rally which had gathered on Sept 16 had among others demanded that the Domestic, Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry act against the alleged sale of counterfeit goods in Petaling Street.

They also wanted the traders there to share a portion of their income with other races and stop a monopoly in the area.

On Wednesday, Jamal who is also the Sungei Besar UMNO division chief warned that another rally will be held at Petaling Street this Saturday if the authorities failed to meet their demands.