The US Ambassador to Malaysia yesterday lashed out at 'America-bashing' and called for efforts to control the 'ugly atmosphere' generated by a rising anti-American frenzy in the country.
In a remarkably frank statement to local and foreign journalists, John Malott blasted the Malaysian media and, by implication, government ministers over a series of recent reports and remarks maligning the United States.
He said the rhetoric surrounding the US-Malaysian relationship over the past four months had worsened and public opinion had been affected.
Anti-American sentiment has been mounting since Southeast Asia was hit by financial turmoil in July and the Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, blamed American financier George Soros for the devaluation of the Malaysian dollar.
It intensified recently following an American threat of sanctions against Petronas, the national oil company, over an Iranian gas deal and a move to have the American Congress approve a resolution calling on Dr Mahathir to resign or apologise over alleged anti-American and anti-Semitic remarks.
The US Embassy reported on Thursday that it had received two calls threatening harm to American citizens in Malaysia. One caller specifically threatened to kill four Americans.