WikiLeaks...

WikiLeaks has, until a few days ago, remained as a foreign topic to me. Suddenly, everyone here in Malaysia is talking about it when a leaked cable revealed that a sodomy charge (against a former deputy Prime Minister) was discussed between the Australian and Singaporean intelligence agencies. The Singaporean officials told their Australian counterparts that the ex-PM had indeed been guilty based on their "technical intelligence". Not only that, the senior officials at the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also found to have bad-mouthed Malaysia. For instance, they had said:

• there was a "distinct possibility of racial conflict" which might cause ethnic Chinese to "flee" and "overwhelm Singapore"
• the current PM is in a "tight spot"
• Malaysia was in a "confused and dangerous" state due to "its incompetent politicians"

The news has made politicians from both sides jumped. Many demanded explanation from our neighbour, and the Foreign Minister has sent a protest note to its counterpart, who clarified that the leaks did not tally with their records. "One purported meeting did not even take place," he said.

The incident has caught both Malaysia and Singapore in an embarrassed situation as it would affect the bilateral ties between the two neighbours. One of the officials who was reported to have made the scathing remarks was expected to lead a delegation to Malaysia next week. I guess people are waiting to see what will he say when he arrives.

I do not understand why a local daily used a lot of anonymous sources when reporting on the issue. It quoted "Malaysian officials" who wanted explanation from Singapore. There were also a couple who said that the government should not have sent the protest note as the information was based on leakages and not the act of a government. The quotes were good, but I couldn't help doubting the stories' credibility.

Compared to these news stories, I would rather read one that quoted the politicians on security concerns. At least I know that real people are behind the quotes.