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WikiLeaks hits Singapore diplomats
Posted: 12 December 2010 1132 hrs
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In this photo illustration, a 'WikiLeaks' graphic is displayed on a laptop in a cafe.
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SINGAPORE: Singapore diplomats think the leaders of some close Asian allies are corrupt or incompetent, cables from WikiLeaks revealed Sunday.
Confidential diplomatic notes given by the whistleblower website to Australia's Fairfax media group contained unflattering assessments of key figures in Malaysia, Thailand, India and Japan.
"A lack of competent leadership is a real problem for Malaysia," permanent secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bilahari Kausikan reportedly told US Deputy Secretary of Defence for East Asia David Sedney in a cable dated September 2008.
As such, "the situation in neighbouring Malaysia is confused and dangerous," fuelled by a "distinct possibility of racial conflict" that could see ethnic Chinese "flee" Malaysia and "overwhelm" Singapore, Bilahari was quoted as saying.
Another official, Peter Ho, reportedly described Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as "an opportunist" who "would not hesitate" to be critical of Singapore if "it is expedient for him to do so."
He said allegations linking Najib to the murder of a Mongolian woman in 2006, which the leader has strongly rejected, would continue to "haunt" his political fortunes.
Bilahari was also critical of the Thai government in 2008, labelling then premier Thaksin Shinawatra as "corrupt" along with "everyone else, including the opposition."
He also said the Thai crown prince was "very erratic, and easily subject to influence," and warned of continued instability in Thailand.
In another 2009 memo, Singapore's ambassador at large Tommy Koh -- known for being mild-mannered and eloquent in public -- was uncharacteristically blunt in his assessment of Japan and India.
"Koh described Japan as 'the big fat loser' in the context of improving ties between China and ASEAN," a leaked cable detailing a meeting between him and US officials stated.
"He attributed the relative decline of Japan's stature in the region to Japan's 'stupidity, bad leadership, and lack of vision,'" it added.
"He was equally merciless towards India, describing it as 'half in, half out' of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.)"
There was no immediate reaction from the Singapore government to the leaks but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) earlier issued a statement saying it is "critical to protect the confidentiality of diplomatic and official correspondence".
"Which is why Singapore has the Official Secrets Act (OSA)," an MFA spokesman said.
He said: "In particular, the selective release of documents, especially when taken out of context, will only serve to sow confusion and fail to provide a complete picture of the important issues that were being discussed (among) leaders in the strictest of confidentiality."
-AFP/CNA/wk
Posted: 12 December 2010 1132 hrs
Photos 1 of 1
In this photo illustration, a 'WikiLeaks' graphic is displayed on a laptop in a cafe.
Twitter Messenger
SINGAPORE: Singapore diplomats think the leaders of some close Asian allies are corrupt or incompetent, cables from WikiLeaks revealed Sunday.
Confidential diplomatic notes given by the whistleblower website to Australia's Fairfax media group contained unflattering assessments of key figures in Malaysia, Thailand, India and Japan.
"A lack of competent leadership is a real problem for Malaysia," permanent secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bilahari Kausikan reportedly told US Deputy Secretary of Defence for East Asia David Sedney in a cable dated September 2008.
As such, "the situation in neighbouring Malaysia is confused and dangerous," fuelled by a "distinct possibility of racial conflict" that could see ethnic Chinese "flee" Malaysia and "overwhelm" Singapore, Bilahari was quoted as saying.
Another official, Peter Ho, reportedly described Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak as "an opportunist" who "would not hesitate" to be critical of Singapore if "it is expedient for him to do so."
He said allegations linking Najib to the murder of a Mongolian woman in 2006, which the leader has strongly rejected, would continue to "haunt" his political fortunes.
Bilahari was also critical of the Thai government in 2008, labelling then premier Thaksin Shinawatra as "corrupt" along with "everyone else, including the opposition."
He also said the Thai crown prince was "very erratic, and easily subject to influence," and warned of continued instability in Thailand.
In another 2009 memo, Singapore's ambassador at large Tommy Koh -- known for being mild-mannered and eloquent in public -- was uncharacteristically blunt in his assessment of Japan and India.
"Koh described Japan as 'the big fat loser' in the context of improving ties between China and ASEAN," a leaked cable detailing a meeting between him and US officials stated.
"He attributed the relative decline of Japan's stature in the region to Japan's 'stupidity, bad leadership, and lack of vision,'" it added.
"He was equally merciless towards India, describing it as 'half in, half out' of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.)"
There was no immediate reaction from the Singapore government to the leaks but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) earlier issued a statement saying it is "critical to protect the confidentiality of diplomatic and official correspondence".
"Which is why Singapore has the Official Secrets Act (OSA)," an MFA spokesman said.
He said: "In particular, the selective release of documents, especially when taken out of context, will only serve to sow confusion and fail to provide a complete picture of the important issues that were being discussed (among) leaders in the strictest of confidentiality."
-AFP/CNA/wk
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