SHAH ALAM - Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has shrugged off concerns surrounding the recent courtesy call by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Mark Luxon to the Malaysian opposition members, accusing pro-government cybertroopers of stirring unnecessary controversy.
He also questioned the motive behind the criticisms that were made online, stating that there was no issue with the diplomatic visit.
"It has always been the standard practice of Perikatan Nasional (PN) where opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin is invited for such meetings.
"The New Zealand Prime Minister invited us for a courtesy call.
"He (Hamzah) will always bring other MPs that hold certain portfolios like a shadow minister from our opposition cabinet to meet our counterpart," he said told Sinar Daily, today.
Hamzah's recent meeting with Luxon has sparked heated debates online after he posted about receiving a "courtesy call" from Luxon.
Netizens quickly pointed out discrepancies, questioning the claim of the courtesy call when it appeared that Hamzah, along with several other opposition leaders had visited the New Zealand premier after receiving an invitation.
In response to the online backlash, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal posted the official invitation confirming that the meeting had been initiated by the New Zealand High Commissioner's Office.
The letter stated that the invitation was extended to Hamzah.
However, this did not stop netizens from speculating on the nature of the meeting, especially as it appeared that more members of the opposition attended the meeting than expected.
This came after a video posted from the event showed Hamzah and a few other opposition leaders greeting Luxon.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, however, dismissed the speculations stating that the criticism was politically motivated.
"I don’t see what issue the government’s cybertroopers are trying to make here.
"It’s all just an attempt to distract and cover up how Tun M (former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) stole the spotlight from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"They are desperately trying to ridicule and criticise our efforts," he said when contacted.
Addressing the significance of the meeting, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said Luxon who is the current New Zealand Prime Minister had served as the opposition leader during former prime minister Jacinda Ardern’s tenure.
Thus, he said Luxon understood the importance of engagements with opposition figures.
"He (Luxon) purposely requested to see our opposition leader because the New Zealand embassy in Malaysia has briefed him on the fact that PN held many senior and former ministers ranks," Wan Ahmad Faysal said.
He added that discussion during the meeting extended beyond formalities and both sides covered crucial topics such as the economic policies and potential collaborations between New Zealand and the four states in Malaysia governed by PN.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining relationships with opposition parties, as they could be in government in the future.
"There is much potential for cooperation at the state level. Who knows, we might be back in power in the future," he said.
Despite the backlash from pro-government circles, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal remained firm that the meeting was productive and a necessary diplomatic engagement.
"This controversy is just nonsense," he added