KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will stick to its decision to recognise Kosovo as an independent and sovereign nation despite Serbia's objections, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri 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 here today. Rais said Serbia's decision to expel Datuk 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 said.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia today asked Thailand and Cambodia to resolve through talks their conflict over a remote plot of jungle on their common border where an ancient Hindu temple is situated. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that as partners in the 10-member Asean grouping, they should respect the Asean charter which, among other things, calls for conflict resolution through talks rather than force. "If allowed to prolong, the conflict can tarnish the image of Asean as a regional organisation," he told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the launch of the Centre for the Straits of Melaka, here. Last Wednesday, Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged rockets and gunfire across their common border, resulting in reportedly the death of two Cambodian soldiers and injury of seven Thai soldiers. The Preah Vihear temple, which is at least 900 years old, is a tourist attraction and World Heritage Site which sits atop a mountain. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) had awarded the area where the temple stands to Cambodia in a 1962 decision.