Groups could be spreading anthrax to distort Msias image: deputy minister
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, Tan said there are groups who want to sour Malaysia's diplomatic relations with other countries.
"I suspect there are groups out there who want to smear the country's name. We are investigating," said the deputy minister.
According to Tan Malaysia's postal department has contacted their American counterparts and is awaiting information.
However, Tan declined to say which groups were involved.
Tan also said he was unhappy with America for highlighting the issue without consulting local authorities first.
Despite this, Tan said postal services between Malaysia and other countries are being carried out as usual.
The deputy minister also advised the public not to panic as the postal department and police are "careful not to allow dangerous substances to pass through".
Signs of tampering
Yesterday, police confirmed that a letter suspected of carrying anthrax and received by a Microsoft Corp branch in Nevada, United States, was re-routed after it was not delivered to its vendor in Malaysia.
"It has been confirmed that the letter which is said to contain anthrax did not originate from this country," Deputy Inspector General of Police Mohamed Jamil Johari was reported as saying.
However, Mohamed Jamil said there were signs that the letter had been tampered with.
Yesterday Foreign Affairs Minister Syed Hamid Albar voiced his concern over the media disinformation which suggested that Malaysia was producing anthrax bacteria, or was part of the terrorist movement involved in a biological warfare against the US.
Media coverage on something which is not proven should not be allowed, he added.
"It helps to speculate information released by the New York Times which unfortunately was carried by others - including our newspapers," said Syed Hamid.
The sender's intention was to pit Malaysia against the US in the conflict the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, explained the minister.
