Datin who worked for ex-minister ‘leaked sensitive diplomatic info’

An aide to a former foreign minister may find herself in trouble for leaking sensitive information that could be detrimental to Malaysia’s diplomatic presence abroad, after a voice message from a Wisma Putra officer to her was made available online, MalaysiaNow has learnt.

In the audio message which made the rounds last week, an officer is heard complaining to the woman, who carries a “Datin” title, about alleged problems faced by Malaysian diplomats overseas.

“Some of the information is not supposed to be public knowledge,” the source told MalaysiaNow.

The officer was subsequently identified and called to explain the audio message.

“He revealed that the voice note was sent to a Datin who is a former press secretary to a former foreign affairs minister.

“It turns out that it was not him who leaked the audio file,” the source added.

The development follows Wisma Putra’s recent action against two of its diplomats in the UAE who failed to make arrangements for an official visit by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob late last month.

Malaysia’s ambassador to the UAE, Tarid Sufian, and its consul-general in Dubai, Hasril Abdul Hamid, were stationed in Putrajaya after their communication blunder kept UAE officials in the dark about Ismail’s visit.

It was learnt that the host was left embarrassed by the absence of protocol normally accorded to visiting heads of state, with UAE officials apologising to the Malaysian delegation.

It is understood that Wisma Putra has in the past taken similar action against diplomats for failing in their duties.