PUTRAJAYA: The Malaysian embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is in contact with the UAE Foreign Ministry following the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) release of audio recordings which featured, among others, someone believed to be a member of the UAE royal family.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said it is the norm for the government to inform and explain the issue to the relevant parties when such matters occur.
He said he does not foresee any complications arising from the issue.
"I do not believe any problem will arise (following the MACC's exposé). We have taken the usual measures," he told reporters when asked on the impact of the disclosure on diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the UAE.
On whether Wisma Putra had received numerous queries since the issue was made public on Wednesday, Saifuddin replied in the negative.
“No. But we have taken the (necessary) initiatives.”
Asked if the calls made to the UAE in the audio clips were categorised as official, and for his take on wire-tapping such calls, Saifuddin declined to comment.
"Well, you have heard the conversations. I will refrain from making any comments on the conversations because this may infer our position and that is not good.
"For one, it involves another country and secondly, those things can become evidence in the court of law.
"I don't want to add anything to these conversations that have been heard by many yesterday," said Saifuddin.
In one of the audio clips, a man believed to be former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was heard making a special request to someone he referred to as “your royal highness” to seek help in clearing his son’s name from complications arising from a money-laundering case.
MACC chief commissioner Latheefa Koya had told Wednesday’s press conference that the commission believed the "royal highness" was UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin said the government has been in contact with its Australian counterparts over the former’s offer of aid to battle the country’s bushfire crisis, which has been raging since September last year.
"We have received reply (from Australia). (They are) very thankful for our offer but they have sufficient resources for the time being," he said.