January 5, 2011
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - A Malaysian minister on Tuesday angrily denied rumours circulating in the blogosphere that he had raped his Indonesian maid in 2007, describing the stories as "wild allegations".
"I refute the allegations, whether they are about raping any individual four years ago or any other allegation, raised by bloggers on the Internet or by any political entity," he said in a statement carried by state media.
Some of the online reports said that the allegations had featured in a diplomatic cable released by Internet-based whistleblower WikiLeaks, but no such document has been produced.
"The allegation of rape as published by the blogger has no connection whatsoever with the so-called WikiLeaks exposure," said Rais.
The veteran cabinet member and one-time foreign affairs minister said the "wild allegations" made in blogs and online news portals reports were libellous and politically motivated.
"I state readily that any report by anyone so far related to this matter should be investigated under the country's laws," he said, adding that he and his family members would cooperate with any investigation.
