Government concerned over Malaysian issue: PM

NEW DELHI: In a guarded comment on alleged harassment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said the government is concerned whenever people of the country are in trouble anywhere in the world.
    
"This is a matter which concerns us. Whenever people of India run into difficulties, it is a source of concern," Singh told here when asked to comment on the developments in Malaysia.
    
He, however, refused to speak further on the issue saying Parliament was in session and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee would be making a statement on the matter there.
    
Singh was asked to comment at a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates, who is the current President of European Union, after their talks.
    
The issue of alleged ill-treatment of ethnic Indians in Malaysia has led to demands here by political parties that the government should take up the matter with Kuala Lumpur.