MALAYSIA TO STICK TO KOSOVO RECOGNITION

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will stick to its decision to recognise Kosovo as an independent and sovereign nation despite Serbia's objections, said Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim.

He said Malaysia would be friendly with any country that was independent
and had its own constitution.

"Even though Serbia does not agree, our stand stays. This is in line with
51 other countries including the United States and some European Union
countries," Rais said after officiating the setting up of the alumni council of
the Institut Perguruan Bahasa Melayu Malaysia (Malaysian Malay Language
Teachers' Institute) here Sunday.

Rais said Serbia's decision to expel Saw Ching Hong did have an adverse
effect on Malaysia as matters of importance between the two countries,
in communications and trade, were negligible.

"The number students and businessmen there is very small, including four
embassy staff, who will be provided diplomatic protection," he said.

Rais said Saw's status in Serbia was that of "persona non grata" and he
will return to Malaysia until the situation changed.

He also commented on the more than 30,000 Malaysians who had overstayed in
the United Kingdom and were asked to leave.

Rais said the UK may impose new conditions on students, teachers and
skilled workers which may affect the chances for education and employment for
Malaysians there.

"I will brief the Cabinet and steps to provide information to the public
will be undertaken together with the Home Ministry," he said.

On the acquittal of political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda of a charge of
abetment in the murder of Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu, Rais said the
Mongolian government had not contacted his ministry.

"If it does, we will assist in providing information, but will not disagree
with the court's decision," he sid.