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| Southeast Asia |
| Malaysian Gov't may face US sanctions over missing jet engines, church fires |
| 2010-02-10 |
| The United States may slap economic sanctions if the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government fails to resolve two key issues considered crucial by the international community, according to diplomatic sources. The latest edition of the Pakatan Rakyat weekly, Suara Keadilan, quoting the sources as saying that the administration of President Barrack Obama is demanding a detailed explanation from Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's government on the two missing F-5E jet engines and the series of arson attacks on churches and other places of worship over the last two weeks. It also quoted Wisma Putra [Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs] sources as saying if Najib viewed these issues lightly then Washington could slap economic sanctions on Malaysia. Wisma Putra sources said Washington's diplomatic note reflects the seriousness of the Obama administration, which until now had only voiced their objections with statements. In an SMS revert to Suara Keadilan, the US embassy's media officer, Tina Malone, said Washington took a serious view of media reports of the missing jet engines, which were manufactured in the US. One of the Wisma Putra sources also confirmed that Waashington had sent a diplomatic note to the Malaysian Government over the petrol bomb attacks and vandalism on Christian churches. The United States is Malaysia's number one trading partner and in recent years has been ranked among the top three foreign investors. In 2008, it was the second largest investor, with investments totalling RM8.7 billion. Any economic sanction will have a painful effect on the country, which is already suffering from a large deficit. |
| Posted by:Pappy |