KUALA LUMPUR: The summoning of China’s ambassador Dr Huang Huikang to Wisma Putra is a normal practice, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
He said the move was meant to seek clarification from the diplomat on the statement he made during his visit to Petaling Street last Friday.
“Wisma Putra only wanted him to confirm whether his statement was misconstrued or otherwise,” he said in a statement tonight.
Anifah said this is not the first time that Wisma Putra had summoned a diplomat.
In the past the Foreign Ministry had summoned ambassador’s from the Vatican, Singapore and the United State, he said.
This practice is routine and is in line with article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, he added.
“As a sovereign nation, we also have to state our position to China clearly,” he said.
“In this matter, I had discussed with Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak), and decided to summon China’s ambassador to present himself at Wisma Putra to provide clarification.
“I am also of the view that this matter should not be taken to the ministerial level, as the normal practice is for the matter to be handled at the senior official level at Wisma Putra,” he added.
Anifah also expressed disappointment that several cabinet ministers had reacted and made press statements without referring to him beforehand.
“For information, I had not cancelled my directive in summoning the Chinese ambassador to provide his clarification at Wisma Putra.
“Actually, this could be resolved positively by Wisma Putra, without the interference of other ministers” he said.
“Instead, their interference has given a negative perception in the eyes of the people. I hope this matter would not repeat itself in the future,” he said.
Dr Huang met acting foreign affairs minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin in the latter's office at the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry in Putrajaya, on Monday.