Nonsense, Malaysia is safe, say ministers

(THESTARONLINE)Malaysiansunitedasonevoicetotelltheworldthecountryissafeforinternationaleventsfollowingnewstheupcomingwomenworldsquashchampionshipmightbecancelledorpostponeddueto“security”concerns.

ThemessageMalaysiansaresendingoutisforeignerscanenjoythiscountrywithpeaceofmind.

YouthandSportsMinisterKhairyJamaluddinsaidtherewasnosecuritythreatinMalaysia,especiallyonethatwouldjeopardiseaninternationalevent.

“Idisputetheclaim.Wehavejusthostedmanyworldleaders.

“Ifit’ssafeenoughfor(USPresident)BarackObamatocometoKualaLumpur,I’msureit’ssafeenoughforsquashplayers,”saidKhairy,addingthattheclaimwas“ridiculous”.

Hesaidhisministrywasinthemidstofcontactingthepromoters,HallmarkEventsGroup,regardingitsclaim.

“Theyshouldexplain(theclaim)asitinvolvesthereputationofthecountry.

“Ifithastobepostponedduetootherreasons,suchasadministrationorfinance(issues),givetherealexplanationinsteadofusingsecurityconcernsasareason,”hesaid,addingthatthepromotersshouldhavereportedanysecurityconcerntotheMalaysianpolice.

DeputyHomeMinisterDatukNurJazlanMohamedbrushedofftheorganiser’sclaimthatMalaysiawasunsafe.

“Thereisnoreasontocanceltheeventduetosecurity.ThereisnosecuritythreatinKualaLum­pur,”saidNurJazlan.

MalaysiaCrimePreventionFoundationvice-chairmanTanSriLeeLamThyesaiditwasnotrightfor“somepeople”tolabelMalaysiaasunsafebecauseeffortswerebeingmadetoensuresecurity.

HesaidtheauthoritieslikethepoliceandtheArmedForceswereabletoprovidegoodsecurityformanyworldleaderswhocametoMalaysiarecently,includingObama,ChinesePremierLiKeqiangandIndianPrimeMinisterNarendraModi.