DCM RAISES VENEZUELA, AMCITS' DETENTION WITH NEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 002196

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EAP/MTS, CA/OCS/ACS AND WHA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV CASC ASEC VE MY
SUBJECT: DCM RAISES VENEZUELA, AMCITS' DETENTION WITH NEW
MFA AMERICAS UNDER SECRETARY

REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 1634 - MALAYSIA SUPPORTS VENEZUELA

UNSC BID

B. KUALA LUMPUR 1618 - CHAVEZ VISITS MALAYSIA

Classified By: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION DAVID B. SHEAR, REASONS 1.4 (B A
ND D).


1. (C) The DCM and polchief paid an introductory call on the
Malaysian Foreign Ministry's new Under Secretary for the
Americas, Ambassador Ramlan Ibrahim, on November 30. Ramlan
said he saw opportunities to further strengthen ties with the
U.S. based on the strong personal relationship between
President Bush and Prime Minister Abdullah. The DCM asked
about the Prime Minister's upcoming visit to Venezuela
(currently scheduled for December 17-20) and suggested that
Washington would take note of political statements made
jointly by Abdullah and Venezuelan President Chavez. Ramlan
said the Prime Minister's visit to Venezuela was essentially
an economic mission, not a political one, and that a large
number of Malaysian business leaders would accompany
Abdullah. Malaysia eyed trade and investment opportunities
in Venezuela and elsewhere in South America. Ramlan added
that Chavez had visited Kuala Lumpur four times, while this
would be Abdullah's first trip to Caracas.


2. (SBU) The DCM took the opportunity to raise the November
16-17 detention of two Amcits who had been rounded up in
Kuala Lumpur in a sweep of suspected illegal immigrants from
Africa. The Embassy formally protested the incident of
apparent racial profiling in a November 29 diplomatic note.
The DCM reiterated our expectation that Malaysian authorities
treat American citizens in a lawful manner. Ramlan said he
would take up the issue within the Ministry. He asked for
understanding of Malaysia's problem with the huge number of
illegal immigrants ("like in America") and noted that
ill-trained enforcement personnel often were involved in such
sweeps.


3. (SBU) Biographic note: Ramlan Ibrahim is a 23-year
veteran of the Malaysian diplomatic service with polished
English language skills. His postings included Indonesia,
the Netherlands, and Croatia. He was Deputy High
Commissioner in Singapore, 2001-04, and Ambassador to Bosnia
Herzegovina from 2004 until assuming his current post. His
resume lists a master's degree in international relations
from Webster University (1993),which he may have obtained
from the university's Netherlands campus. Ramlan told us he
had never visited Washington, but looked forward to doing so
soon.
LAFLEUR