KUALA LUMPUR ― Agents with the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO) worldwide are fearing for their safety after a letter penned by their former chief and addressed to the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was leaked, a lawyer said on Tuesday (July 31).

Lawyer Datuk Shaharudin Ali, who is representing former MEIO director-general Hasanah Abdul Hamid, said his client has also requested the Chief Government Security Office to probe the leak, citing a breach in security protocols among civil servants.

"This is a wake-up call to all intelligence agencies in the country ... This leakage has caused MEIO agents located worldwide to fear for their safety and subsequently demoralised them because they are afraid that information they supplied could also be at risk of being exposed," the lawyer added.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mr Shaharudin also confirmed the authenticity of the controversial three-page letter signed by Ms Hasanah, which was written on May 4, a week before Malaysia's recent General Election.

In the letter, Ms Hasanah congratulated the new CIA director Gina Haspel and appealed for the United States to support the administration of former Prime Minister Najib Razak "even if Barisan Nasional won the election by a simple majority or just one seat."

The letter argued that any indication that the US government would continue to support Najib and his government would "definitely strengthen stability and enhance the existing cordial relationship driven by the strong rapport between the two leaders".

The letter added that Dr Mahathir Mohamad was anti-West, anti-Semitic and autocratic, and criticised him for ignoring human rights and the rule of law.

Ms Hasanah filed a police report over the leaked letter earlier on Tuesday.

According to Mr Shaharudin, the MEIO was set up in the 1960s and had worked together with other agencies, such as the Special Branch, Military Intelligence and the National Security Council, on national security matters. Earlier reports had characterised the outfit as a research arm under the Prime Minister's Office.

The lawyer added that the leaked letter was "drafted, vetted and analysed" by at least 10 senior MEIO officers before it was signed by Ms Hasanah, and was made in good faith towards the CIA.

Refuting criticisms that the letter was treasonous, Mr Shaharudin said the exchange with the CIA was routine for intelligence gathering and sharing to safeguard the peace and safety of Malaysia.

"Therefore the MEIO letter dated May 4 is not something extraordinary and far from being treasonous as claimed by certain parties," he added. AGENCIES