(Kuala Lumpur, Sunday): Australian Commonwealth Games Association head, Arthur Tunstall should produce proof that Malaysia had used money to buy the Sukom 98 or he should publicly apologise for insulting the honour and reputation of Malaysia.
Tunstall had alleged that Malaysia won the right to stage the 1998 Commonwealth Games from Adelaide through "the power of money" and that "Money bought the games for Kuala Lumpur".
Speaking to affiliates of the Commonwealth Games Federation in Adelaide last Thursday, Tunstall said: Somewhere down the line certain things were granted to them that would help them to decide to vote for Kuala Lumpur. They gave them more than a T-shirt. If you want something really bad then you�re prepared to go a little bit further, as KL did."
This is most insulting. The dishonour he had done to Malaysia is not diminished in any way by his subsequent clarification that Kuala Lumpur had not done anything wrong as all cities do the same thing.
Australian leaders in various fields should realise that Australia is not in the international "outbacks" but must be a responsible international player. Making general statements casting aspersions on the honour and integrity of other nations, without a shred of evidence, is the height of international irresponsibility.
The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard should intervene and not be tardy in reactions to events which can gravely damage Malaysia-Australia relations, as happened in the xenophobic outbursts by Queensland independent MP, Pauline Hanson last year.
(4/5/97)