Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUALALUMPUR387
2008-05-14 09:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
MALAYSIA: MIXED VIEWS ON BURMA RELIEF EFFORTS
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000387
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL MARR BM MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: MIXED VIEWS ON BURMA RELIEF EFFORTS
REF: KL 363 HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000387
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL MARR BM MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: MIXED VIEWS ON BURMA RELIEF EFFORTS
REF: KL 363 HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS
1. (SBU) Summary. Elements of the Malaysian mainstream
media, civil society and the political opposition have
harshly condemned the refusal of the Burmese regime to allow
in international relief teams and its insistence on going
ahead with the May 10 referendum. Government officials,
however, continue to put a much more positive spin on the
behavior of the Burmese junta, and there are no indications
that the GOM intends to abandon its traditional
"non-interference" stance in regard to Burma. End Summary.
2. (U) In a May 14 editorial the New Straits Times (which
faithfully follows the ruling coalition line on domestic
political issues but sometimes reports more independently on
foreign developments) harshly criticized the "stubborn
paranoia" of a Burmese regime "more concerned with garnering
approval for its farcical referendum,," than with allowing
help to reach its citizens. The NST went so far as to raise
the issue of the UN,s "responsibility to protect" concept.
The Malay-language Utusan Malaysia also condemned the
junta,s "arrogance" in a May 13 editorial and local internet
blogs have conveyed strong criticism of the Burmese
authorities. The official news agency Bernama, however, has
confined its reports primarily to quoting the more positive
assessments of GOM officials.
3. (U) On May 14 Parliamentary opposition leader Wan Azizah,
who is also vice president of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC),tabled a motion for an emergency
debate in regard to the Government using political influence
and diplomatic channels to persuade the Burmese junta and
accept humanitarian assistance. She had earlier tabled a
motion calling on the GOM to persuade the Burmese regime to
defer the May 10 referendum. In a May 12 statement rejecting
that motion, Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia asserted
that the issue did not qualify as "urgent" and that it was
not right for Malaysia to meddle in the internal affairs of
another country. Lim Kit Siang of the opposition Democratic
Action Party (DAP),who has been active in AIPMC, has
strongly criticized ASEAN,s reaction to the Burma crisis,
maintained that the organization,s inaction "makes a total
mockery of the charter" and advocating that ASEAN persuade
the junta to open up or "face censure and possibly
suspension." AIPMC Vice President Wan Azizah also addressed
a letter to the Burmese ambassador to Malaysia critical of
the decision to proceed with the referendum.
4. (SBU) GOM officials continue to put a positive spin on
the behavior of the Burmese regime. Quoting the Malaysian
ambassador in Rangoon, Bernama reported on May 13 that
"contrary to Western media reports that Myanmar was refusing
to accept humanitarian aid from abroad" a planeload of
Malaysian relief supplies (reftel) along with a team of
Malaysian representatives, had been "welcomed" by Burmese
officials. As of May 14, however, the Malaysian delegation,
consisting of military, Red Crescent, National Security
Council, MFA, and Health Ministry personnel, reportedly has
not been permitted to travel outside Rangoon. A Special
Malaysia Disaster and Rescue (SMART) team was formed and made
preparations to fly to Burma, but the Burmese reportedly have
told the GOM they do not need such a team. The Malaysian
NGOs Salam and Nature Aid Foundation have both been stymied
in their efforts to obtain Burma,s permission to enter the
country. Salam chairman Razali Ismail, the former UN Special
Envoy to Burma, said he was "shocked" at the junta,s
attitude, which could lead to huge loss of life. PM
Abdullah,s son-in-law and close advisor Khairy Jamaluddin
gently admonished the Burmese regime in May 12 remarks to
Parliament, expressing hope that international assistance
would reach the Burmese people without obstacles.
5. (SBU) The Ambassador and country team members continue to
raise the need for urgent humanitarian action in Burma with
Malaysian senior officials and politicians from both the
ruling and opposition coalitions.
KUALA LUMP 00000387 002 OF 002
6. (SBU) Comment: While as indicated above some domestic
political sentiment does exist for a more activist GOM role
on Burma, we see no indications that the GOM intends to
abandon its traditional "non-interference" stance.
KEITH
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL MARR BM MY
SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: MIXED VIEWS ON BURMA RELIEF EFFORTS
REF: KL 363 HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS
1. (SBU) Summary. Elements of the Malaysian mainstream
media, civil society and the political opposition have
harshly condemned the refusal of the Burmese regime to allow
in international relief teams and its insistence on going
ahead with the May 10 referendum. Government officials,
however, continue to put a much more positive spin on the
behavior of the Burmese junta, and there are no indications
that the GOM intends to abandon its traditional
"non-interference" stance in regard to Burma. End Summary.
2. (U) In a May 14 editorial the New Straits Times (which
faithfully follows the ruling coalition line on domestic
political issues but sometimes reports more independently on
foreign developments) harshly criticized the "stubborn
paranoia" of a Burmese regime "more concerned with garnering
approval for its farcical referendum,," than with allowing
help to reach its citizens. The NST went so far as to raise
the issue of the UN,s "responsibility to protect" concept.
The Malay-language Utusan Malaysia also condemned the
junta,s "arrogance" in a May 13 editorial and local internet
blogs have conveyed strong criticism of the Burmese
authorities. The official news agency Bernama, however, has
confined its reports primarily to quoting the more positive
assessments of GOM officials.
3. (U) On May 14 Parliamentary opposition leader Wan Azizah,
who is also vice president of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC),tabled a motion for an emergency
debate in regard to the Government using political influence
and diplomatic channels to persuade the Burmese junta and
accept humanitarian assistance. She had earlier tabled a
motion calling on the GOM to persuade the Burmese regime to
defer the May 10 referendum. In a May 12 statement rejecting
that motion, Parliament Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia asserted
that the issue did not qualify as "urgent" and that it was
not right for Malaysia to meddle in the internal affairs of
another country. Lim Kit Siang of the opposition Democratic
Action Party (DAP),who has been active in AIPMC, has
strongly criticized ASEAN,s reaction to the Burma crisis,
maintained that the organization,s inaction "makes a total
mockery of the charter" and advocating that ASEAN persuade
the junta to open up or "face censure and possibly
suspension." AIPMC Vice President Wan Azizah also addressed
a letter to the Burmese ambassador to Malaysia critical of
the decision to proceed with the referendum.
4. (SBU) GOM officials continue to put a positive spin on
the behavior of the Burmese regime. Quoting the Malaysian
ambassador in Rangoon, Bernama reported on May 13 that
"contrary to Western media reports that Myanmar was refusing
to accept humanitarian aid from abroad" a planeload of
Malaysian relief supplies (reftel) along with a team of
Malaysian representatives, had been "welcomed" by Burmese
officials. As of May 14, however, the Malaysian delegation,
consisting of military, Red Crescent, National Security
Council, MFA, and Health Ministry personnel, reportedly has
not been permitted to travel outside Rangoon. A Special
Malaysia Disaster and Rescue (SMART) team was formed and made
preparations to fly to Burma, but the Burmese reportedly have
told the GOM they do not need such a team. The Malaysian
NGOs Salam and Nature Aid Foundation have both been stymied
in their efforts to obtain Burma,s permission to enter the
country. Salam chairman Razali Ismail, the former UN Special
Envoy to Burma, said he was "shocked" at the junta,s
attitude, which could lead to huge loss of life. PM
Abdullah,s son-in-law and close advisor Khairy Jamaluddin
gently admonished the Burmese regime in May 12 remarks to
Parliament, expressing hope that international assistance
would reach the Burmese people without obstacles.
5. (SBU) The Ambassador and country team members continue to
raise the need for urgent humanitarian action in Burma with
Malaysian senior officials and politicians from both the
ruling and opposition coalitions.
KUALA LUMP 00000387 002 OF 002
6. (SBU) Comment: While as indicated above some domestic
political sentiment does exist for a more activist GOM role
on Burma, we see no indications that the GOM intends to
abandon its traditional "non-interference" stance.
KEITH