Robert Mugabe is likely to find Malaysia's doors closed to him should he attempt to flee there into exile, a Foreign Ministry official said yesterday.
Rumours have been swirling around Zimbabwe and on the internet suggesting the embattled president was eyeing Malaysia as a possible refuge.
He enjoys a close friendship with former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who yesterday urged the government to welcome Mr Mugabe, a frequent visitor to the country.
'Mugabe has not applied for asylum,' a senior ministry official said.
'Like other people he can visit Malaysia and stay, depending on what kind of visa is given. But he is not here now.' The official said that even if Mr Mugabe did apply for asylum it 'won't be entertained'.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak on Tuesday flatly denied reports that the African leader had already arrived
Mr Mugabe, denied a visa by many western countries, has also attended third-world conferences in Malaysia, mostly organised by Dr Mahathir. The pair shared similar anti-western views, and became close friends and supported each at international forums. Both are 83 and came to power about the same time in the mid-1980s.