JEDDAH, Feb 27 (Bernama)--Problems related to nuclear energy are best resolved through peaceful means, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Tuesday.
He said nuclear issues were best dealt through negotiations and discussion, instead of using military means, he said before delivering a keynote address at the Jeddah Economic Forum.
Najib, who is in Saudi Arabia as part of a week-long working visit covering Mecca, Medina and Riyadh, was asked on a report that Pentagon, the U.S. Department of Defence, was on the last phase in launching an attack on Iran.
His comments also come ahead of a meeting of the five permanent U.N. Security Council members -- the United States, France, Russia, China and Britain -- plus Germany in London Monday amid rising international tension over Iran's atomic plans.
The United Nations imposed limited sanctions on Iran's nuclear programme in December and Tehran faces possible further steps for ignoring a Feb 21 deadline to halt enrichment, which the West says Iran is using so it can make nuclear bombs.
Iran, the world's fourth biggest oil producer, insists it only wants to enrich uranium to make fuel for nuclear power plants.
On complaints of the late disbursement of relief fund for businesses affected by the recent floods, Najib said the cabinet wants the banks to quickly process and disburse the loans.
"So far, the MOF (Ministry of Finance) is satisfied with what has been done by the commercial banks."
He was also asked on the call by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that the government set up a Cabinet committee to monitor decisions taken by government-linked companies (GLCs), including Khazanah Nasional and that the committee should comprise political parties.
Najib said constructive criticism would be welcomed.
"They can set up their own committee if they want but that is outside the purview of the government. "As far as the government is concerned, the present machinery is good and the reporting goes to MOF and to the Prime Minister personally," said Najib.
On the recent physical abuse cases at the Air Force Training College in Kepala Batas, Kedah, he said if the ongoing police investigation showed that crimes were committed under the law, those involved can be charged regardless of the internal disciplinary action that had been taken.
BERNAMA
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