Official chided for humiliation of Chinese women
(Kyodo News)
Updated: 2005-12-02 14:57

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has chastised a junior minister for saying foreigners could leave if they dislike police methods, in the wake of reports of Chinese citizens being subjected to degrading treatment by police, local dailies reported Thursday.

A combination of video grabs from a mobile phone video clip shows a young Chinese woman after she was stripped at a police station in Malaysia. [Reuters]

Abdullah, who had taken pains to prevent diplomatic fallout over a video of a naked ethnic Chinese woman being forced to perform squats while in police custody, summoned Deputy Internal Security Minister Noh Omar on Wednesday to chastise him over his comments.

Noh reportedly told reporters Tuesday, "If the foreigners think we are cruel, ask them to go back to their own country. For me, it was conducted in accordance with the rule."

The remarks came a day after Abdullah apologized to China and ordered an independent probe into the video incident.

Abdullah, who is also internal security minister, described Noh's comments as "highly inappropriate."

"His statement is totally against the government's policy and stance on foreign visitors and tourists, where we welcome all of them whether to holiday, study, seek medical treatment or do business here."

"Government servants should be more sensitive and careful when issuing statements on the issue. I have advised Datuk Noh Omar on the matter," he added.

Noh apologized but blamed the media for misinterpreting his words.

"I openly apologize if the meaning of my comments was received negatively," he said.

The video came to light last week and sparked widespread outrage as it strengthened evidence about rampant police brutality.

It also reinforced the accusations made by four Chinese nationals previously that they had been unlawfully detained and similarly forced to strip and perform squats in front of police personnel.

Their complaints are among a number of those about police discrimination against Chinese nationals, especially women who are often rounded up on suspicion of engaging in prostitution.

Although it has yet to be confirmed whether the woman in the video is a Chinese citizen or an ethnic Chinese Malaysian, Beijing reacted strongly.

China's Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei summoned Malaysian Ambassador to Beijing Syed Norulzaman on Wednesday to lodge a protest over the humiliation and assault of Chinese women in Malaysia.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said what Beijing did was fair.

"As a sovereign country, responsible in protecting its citizens, therefore it is fair (for China) to present a protest note, and we will take action," Malaysia's official news agency Bernama quoted him as saying Thursday.

Syed Hamid maintained that there will be no coverup in the investigation.

"We are transparent and ready to bear any responsibility. We are serious about this case," he said.

He also said the incident should not affect Sino-Malaysian ties, and noted that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is scheduled to visit Malaysia in two weeks.