The Malaysian foreign minister warned other governments not to meddle in his country's affairs Monday after ethnic Indian activists wrote to Britain urging U.N. action over what they alleged was ethnic cleansing in Malaysia.
Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia's government is able to resolve any woes of members of the ethnic Indian minority, and urged them to refer any complaints to the government rather than foreign countries.
"If there is anything that we are dissatisfied with, there are avenues within our system to deal with it. Malaysians don't want foreign interference," he told reporters.
Ethnic Indian activists, who say they suffer discrimination because of an affirmative action policy that favors members of the Malay Muslim majority, cited the demolition of dozens of Hindu temples as evidence of "ethnic cleansing" in two letters sent to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown last month.
They said the moves were an attempt to drive out the ethnic Indian minority.
Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Malaysia's government is able to resolve any woes of members of the ethnic Indian minority, and urged them to refer any complaints to the government rather than foreign countries.
"If there is anything that we are dissatisfied with, there are avenues within our system to deal with it. Malaysians don't want foreign interference," he told reporters.
Ethnic Indian activists, who say they suffer discrimination because of an affirmative action policy that favors members of the Malay Muslim majority, cited the demolition of dozens of Hindu temples as evidence of "ethnic cleansing" in two letters sent to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown last month.
They said the moves were an attempt to drive out the ethnic Indian minority.
The activists, from the Hindu Rights Action Force, urged Britain to spearhead U.N. action against Malaysia over the allegations. The group's leader also was traveling to India, Europe and the United States to seek support for the cause.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has angrily rejected the allegations, calling them "lies."
The Hindu Rights Action Force shot to prominence last month when it organized a rally by some 10,000 ethnic Indians in downtown Kuala Lumpur to demand equality and fair treatment in Malaysia. Police dispersed the Nov. 25 demonstration with tear gas, and charged 94 people with taking part in an illegal gathering.
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has angrily rejected the allegations, calling them "lies."
The Hindu Rights Action Force shot to prominence last month when it organized a rally by some 10,000 ethnic Indians in downtown Kuala Lumpur to demand equality and fair treatment in Malaysia. Police dispersed the Nov. 25 demonstration with tear gas, and charged 94 people with taking part in an illegal gathering.
