Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The conduct of the elections is a matter for the Malaysian people, and I see no basis for raising them in any Commonwealth forum and it is not within the scope of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to look at the conduct of elections in Malaysia. Malaysia is a country with which we consider ourselves a close friend as well as a neighbour. Malaysia is an important regional partner to Australia. It is in our national interest to work with whatever government the people of Malaysia themselves choose. The people of Malaysia have changed government at the state level. They have opted to do that; they have been able to do it. The people of Malaysia have voted out government candidates in by-elections. No-one would consider for a moment that the elections were conducted in a way that elections would be in Australia. (Time expired)