The Foreign Ministry monitors Malaysians who go on tours or reside overseas to ensure that they safeguard the good name of the country and government leaders, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Foreign Minister A Kohilan Pillay said attempts by irresponsible people to tarnish Malaysia's good name and spread a wrong perception of it breached loyalty to the king and country.

"The ministry monitors the behaviour and actions of not only people from the opposition parties but also tourists and those who reside abroad," he said when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2011 at the committee stage for the ministry.

Kohilan Pillay also said that Malaysian missions abroad constantly fostered positive relations between the media and the office of the prime minister to promote the national agenda and rebut any unfounded negative perception of the country's leaders.

The ministry also monitored foreign media reports and immediately set right any unfounded allegation in the national interest, he said.

Kohilan Pillay also said that the latest information on issues were channelled to Malaysian missions abroad from time to time to uphold the government's stand on the issues, besides providing clarification on current political, economic and social developments.

He said all Malaysian diplomats and officials were equipped with skills and information in various fields, including tourism, investment, education and national security, to help promote Malaysia at the international level.

Malaysians abroad should provide a good perception of the country and safeguard national interest so that they were not labelled as traitors, he said.

The house will sit again tomorrow.

- Bernama