Aliran views with deep concern the denial by Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar of his alleged recent meeting with his Israeli counterpart David Levy in New York as reported by Singapore's Straits Times on 28 September 1999.

For if it is true that Syed Hamid did not make any contact with the Israeli regime, Singapore's major newspaper must be made to issue a public apology as it has committed gross journalistic misdeed. And if apology is not forthcoming, we urge the Minister to do what has now become fashionable on both sides of the Causeway, that is sue the newspaper concerned.

We believe it is crucial for the Malaysian government to put the record straight for it has always presented itself, both locally and internationally, as one that lends unwavering support to the Palestinian people's struggle to free themselves from the political and military oppression of the Israeli regime.

Moreover, recent events in West Asia still suggest that the Israeli regime has not totally kept its part of the peace deal, thereby creating political uncertainty in Palestine as well as in the region. More importantly, the Palestinians' dignity as human beings is still in jeopardy.

However, if it is indeed true that such a political contact had been made, the Malaysian government must come clean and explain to the Malaysian people this apparent change of the country's foreign policy.