PM's Saudi visit a success, J-KOM DG defends Anwar
SHAH ALAM - In defending Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Saudi Arabia recently, the Department of Community Communications (J-KOM) said the trip was successful in many aspects.
The department's director-general Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff who defended Anwar said Preikatan Nasional should not judge the outcome of the visit as a 'failure' just because Anwar did not meet the Islamic nation's King and Crown Prince, King Salman Abdulaziz al-Saud and Prince Mohammad Salman.
Or because he was welcomed only by the Governor of Jeddah and not brought into the Kaabah, he added.
Among the premier's successes were the meetings with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Muslim World League in Makkah, where they discussed pressing issues in the Islamic world and networking initiatives based on shared values and mutual cooperation, Mohammad Agus said.
He had also witnessed the signing of three memorandums of understanding (MoU) between several Malaysian companies and Middle Eastern companies: Dagang Nexchange Bhd and Ajlan & Bros Holding Group Co.; Hall International Business Kuala Lumpur and Wadi Makkah Knowledge Co.; and Qhub International Sdn Bhd and Eromman Technologies Sdn. Bhd.
"Listening to the businessmen's briefing on Malaysia's extensive involvement in the futuristic city of Neom, Saudi Arabia's latest mega project, and various industry opportunities from Malaysia there, and having held meetings with the Organisation Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and World Muslim League in Makkah, isn't Anwar's visit successful with what was done during his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia?," he questioned via a statement on Facebook yesterday.
Mohammad Agus was responding to criticisms by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu)'s member of parliament (MP), Machang Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal who said Anwar should inform the Dewan Rakyat on the outcome of his official visit, especially after not meeting with his counterparts there.
He also added Anwar should also explain why he did not meet with the Saudi Crown Prince despite a meeting having been earlier scheduled. Mohammad Agus also explained that the leadership of Saudi Arabia had requested for Anwar's visit to be extended for another two days to meet the country's leadership as the Saudi Arabian King and Crown Prince had changed their schedules due to Ramadan.
"But Anwar had to refuse and promise to come again because on Saturday, the Cabinet ministers had a iftar event with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and on Monday, Anwar will be leaving for Cambodia on a one-day official visit and for China on March 29 to meet with Chinese leaders, Xi Jinping and Li Qiang.
"Isn't the schedule tight? Understand the time constraints of our prime minister, who is working hard for the country," he stressed.
On accusations that the Saudi Arabian leaders didn't like Anwar, Mohammad Agus explained that the King of Arabia and the Crown Prince were among the first to congratulate Anwar after he was appointed as Prime Minister last year.
