Govt concerned over alleged harassment of Indians in Malaysia: PM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the government was concerned over the alleged harassment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia.

New Delhi, Nov 30 : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the government was concerned over the alleged harassment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia.

Reacting to the reported harassment incident, Singh said the government is concerned whenever any Indian is in trouble anywhere in the world.

"This is a matter which concerns us," the Prime Minister said at a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates.

Singh and Socrates, who is head the European Union at present, were addressing the media after their talks here.

Meanwhile, the issue was also raised in the Parliament. Several parties demanded that the Centre should take up the matter with Malaysia.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in his statements in both Houses that the government "deeply solicitous" for the welfare of people of Indian origin living abroad, and that he was in touch with Kuala Lumpur on the issue.

"We have friendly relations with Malaysia and we are in touch with the Malaysian authorities in the related matter," he said.

Earlier this week, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi sought Manmohan Singh's intervention in the issue, and urged him protect the rights of Tamils in Malaysia.

This came after Malaysia's de-facto justice minister Nazri Aziz reportedly told Karunanidhi over telephone to mind his own business after the official complained about Malaysia's treatment of its ethnic Indians.

"This is Malaysia, not Tamil Nadu," Aziz was quoted as saying, adding: "This has got nothing to do with him... lay off."

Some ethnic Indians were allegedly harassed during a rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force in Kuala Lumpur on November 25.

ANI