NAJIB Razak said Pakatan Harapan’s decision to axe the King Salman Centre for International Peace (KSCIP) project will disappoint the Saudi government and threaten future relations.

The former prime minister said scrapping the counterterrorism project might affect ties with Riyadh, as it signifies Putrajaya’s rejection of the Saudi government’s goodwill and assistance.

“This (the project) was suggested by the Saudi government, by King Salman himself, which is why it was named KSCIP.

“So, that’s why we welcomed it as a very good initiative, and they (Saudi Arabia) chose Malaysia over many other countries,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

He said Riyadh has always been “good” to Malaysia.

“They are good with us, we enjoy good treatment and considerations from Saudi Arabia.”

Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu yesterday announced that the government will cease all operations for KSCIP, adding that its temporary office in Jalan Ampang has been shut with immediate effect.

He said the anti-terror functions of KSCIP have been absorbed by the Malaysia Institute of Defence and Security, under his ministry.

Earlier this year, Najib said the centre aimed to correct international misconceptions about Islam, and combat rhetoric spread by terrorist organisations, including the Islamic State. – August 7, 2018.