Putrajaya sends SOS to Hisham to help restore Saudi ties

SM Amin SM Amin Updated 5 years ago · Published on 6 Oct 2018 7:00AM · 43 Comments

Hishammuddin Hussein (left) with Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Hamzah at the Umno annual general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre last weekend. The former defence minister remains close to Saudi leaders and has been tapped to repair fractured ties. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, October 6, 2018.

PUTRAJAYA has turned to former special functions minister Hishammuddin Hussein to help revive fractured ties with Saudi Arabia, said sources.

Some decisions by the new government have affected its relationship with Riyadh, which was warmer under Najib Razak’s administration, sources told The Malaysian Insight.

One of these is the axing of the King Salman Centre for International Peace (KSCIP) proposed by King Salman Abdul Aziz Al-Saud during his visit to Malaysia last year. 

The request for Hishammuddin’s involvement came about after leaders from the Middle East kingdom indicated they preferred to deal with leaders from Najib’s government as opposed to the current administration, sources close to the administration said.

“Apart from (former prime minister) Najib Razak, Hishammuddin also has good relations with the Saudi Arabian government. 

“It’s not good for us (Malaysia) to appear hostile to Saudi Arabia because it will affect many things, including the haj quota,” said a source with knowledge about Putrajaya’s request to Hishammuddin.

Hishammuddin, who is also former defence minister, is Najib’s cousin. The Sembrong MP was also an Umno vice-president, but did not contest the party elections this year.

The Malaysian Insight is seeking Hishammuddin’s comments, but he has not responded.

Malaysia’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has “not been very good” since the closure of KSCIP in August, said another source close to the government.

Saudi Arabia has been involved in the Yemen civil war since 2015. Soon after Pakatan Harapan was voted in, Malaysia decided to pull out its troops from the conflict, angering the Saudis. – EPA pic, October 6, 2018.

Hishammuddin’s successor in the Defence Ministry, Mohamad Sabu, said on August 6 the centre and its office at Menara HLA in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, would be closed with immediate effect. 

The centre’s role to promote peace and curb extremism would be absorbed into another organisation under the ministry. It also meant the scrapping of plans to construct a new building for KSCIP in Putrajaya.

“Putrajaya has asked Hishammuddin to restore its relationship with King Salman. Ties need to be recovered immediately. Hishammuddin may appear secretive, but he moves about quietly,” the source added.

The decision to shut KSCIP, which opened in May last year, was criticised by former Barisan Nasional administration members, including Najib, who warned that Riyadh would be aggrieved.

Hishammuddin also said its closure would be detrimental to Malaysia, while others feared it would affect Saudi Aramco’s US$7 billion (RM31 billion) investment in an oil refinery plant in Pengerang, Johor.

Another decision that has frayed Riyadh-Putrajaya ties is Mohamad’s announcement of the cabinet’s decision to recall Malaysian troops from the Saudi-led coalition against militias in Yemen. 

BN had said Malaysian troops, present in the Saudi-led campaign since 2015, were not involved in combat, but tasked with bringing home Malaysians from Yemen.

Riyadh’s displeasure was seen recently at an official function hosted by King Salman in the kingdom during Hari Raya Haji, the source said, where Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, and Umno president and opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi were present.

Zahid, who was deputy prime minister in Najib’s government, was given a front-row seat, while Mujahid was seated near the back. – October 6, 2018.

King Salman with then prime minister Najib Razak in Putrajaya in February last year. The Saudi monarch proposed the building of a peace centre in Kuala Lumpur named after him, but the plan has since been nixed. – EPA pic, October 6, 2018.

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Comments

  • For countries who have deep pockets, it is definitely easier to deal with a corrupt regime as then anything is possible and everything has a price.

    Posted 5 years ago by Joe Blog · Reply

  • Putrajaya is unfortunately caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. If Hishammuddin could help in tamping down Riyadh's hostility. why not? For better or for worse, Saudi Arabia is one country which Malaysia cannot ignore.

    Posted 5 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply

    • What is so great about SA? They don't have the latest technology, the latest business management science, the latest knowledge to make human lives better etc. All they have is oil money and the prerogative to issue haj quotas.

      For many years, they have been accused of sucking up to their big brother in US to wage wars against their own ilk. Are these accusations true?

      Then, why do we need them and fear them?

      Posted 5 years ago by Yoon Fatt Ng · Reply

    • LOL @Yoon Fatt Ng..ur brain stucked in 1980s or what?
      Clearly you've never been to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia now is a whole new different than during the 1980s.
      Having a deep positive business relationship with Saudi Arabia is like hitting a Jackpot. It's like you've found a fountain of wealth. That's why even China & USA will do whatever they can to please Saudi Arabia government.
      The have best of best in almost everything nowadays. Their buildings & construction are much better than us.

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

    • Enlightened Malaysia- Stop your BS. there is nothing great we can learn from SA who are well known for their establishing of terrorists base from their extreme wahabism. They are already broke and borrowing heavily from China to a tune of hundres billions going soon to be like USA in the debts. Malaysia only fear is the quota of haj and actually the Pengarang project of Aramco are nothing that enticing at all. The days of SA as big spenders are gone. The Saudis are a bane to the world. Their offerings of miseries and ills are unbelievable. If you like them so much try bringing an Arab to your home and see what happen unless you have a camel on stanby.

      Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • Lee Lee your statement are more bullshit. There are tonnes of things we can learn from SA. Hey, even CIA was known to establishing terrorist to fend off Russia, remember CIA role for Taliban?

      SA already broke? Where did you get that info? From a fairy tale? SA have so many mullah in terms of stocks, assets, commodities & gold worldwide, not just a mere oil.

      Malaysia fear is everything related to SA & the potential business surrounding SA. Dey, we are a trading country la, arrogant New Malaysian. Even Singapore made a good relationship with SA. SA is one of the golden goose in this world that no trading country want to pick a fight with, not even Singapore.

      No country in this wolrd is saint. Your job as a trading country is to secure good political relationship with cash-cow country as many as possible.

      Stop watching jews-sponsored media & start open your option to various alternatives media choices in this world

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

  • If his overseas friend give him RM2.6b to return UMNO into gomen. would that count as foreign intervention?

    Posted 5 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

    • Like how international entities giving moneys to PH people to topple BN government?

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

  • We should show the Saudis, who are funding some of the terrorist groups, our 3rd finger.

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

    • Are we really that big like American & China that we can teach SA some lesson? What do we have within our disposal compare to SA? SA don't even give a dam on us & our action towards them won't give them any big scar. The world is really big enough for SA to do business than relying on nowadays arrogant New-Malaysia.

      We are a trading country. As a trading country we should make friendly ties as many as we can get, not making enemis & act like we are a big superpower who can teach any country a lesson

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

  • Why should be worried about relations with a country that has not been helpful in solving the biggest heist the world has ever seen?
    In fact, there even appear to be elements of complicity on their part in covering up for the crime.

    Posted 5 years ago by Arul Inthirarajah · Reply

    • I don't know. Maybe you should ask US & China why they're so eager to please SA government as good as they can if SA is really that bad

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

    • Extreme silliness in your reasoning. China likes SA is because they will make good debtors and fulfil the extended OBOR.. Their vast oil field is a good collateral but that also have to think twice as fossil fuel is no where in the near future.

      Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • Lee Lee the connection & influnces SA have within gulf countries in middle eastern region is why many countries want to make friendship with SA. China OBOR is only of many reason why China wanna build relationship with SA. Sa is the key to establishing a secure middle eastern business network.

      Only arrogant New Malaysian think they can teach SA a lesson when SA don't even need Malayisa if they want to. Which is 'Malaysia is a trading country' that you still didn't understand?

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

  • Quota for Haj? Does Saudi holding ransom for world muslims to do haj?

    Posted 5 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • Deploying our armed forces should only be done properly under the aegis of the United Nations, as was done in the past? Malaysia must not get involved in other people's squabbles. Dr. Mahathir had said in the past that some countries in the Middle East are engaged in quarrels?..

    Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • Can Saudi Arabia assist Najib's defence in court on the RM2.6 billion matter?..

      Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • we involved in Afghanistan, we involved in Iraqi war, we involved in Bosnian War.

      What so weird about that? & we send our troops to SA back then because we have our people & assets that we need to secure & defend. Our Army Chief has explained this again & again but people like you are very in denial. The weapon-armed people there that can cause damaged & fatality to our people & assets are not some hooligan who know nothing about military strategy. They are all trained & skillful people. So only our military man can deal with them, not some small-armed bodyguard.

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

  • Let this be a LESSON to PH government . Do not belittle Saudi donation and charge Najb for receiving 2.6 billion donation from Saudi. It is called Muslim brotherhood ties. Do not call back soldiers defending the Hijaz holy lands. It is called Muslim Brotherhood help. Do not close Malaysia Saudi anti terrorism centre in Putrajaya. It is caled Government to Government close ties. Do not reject Saudi invitation to bring Najib to Hajj -it is called close bilateral relationship between two Muslim brothers

    If PH government continue to charge Najib with AMLA , they are going to severe ties with Saudi of which the repercussion runs deeply in terms of Saudi Hajj quota as well as trades/economy . For Hajj quota you know that it will irritate muslims further.

    To Hishamuddin, do not layan these PH government. Use it well to leverage your cousin Najib, UMNO , Islam and Muslim position in Malaysia. This is your calling.

    Posted 5 years ago by Anak bukitgantang · Reply

  • Who the hell are they to interfere with our democratically elected Government?

    Posted 5 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply

    • who the hell are Claire Recastle Brown & her SR/WSJ people who intefere in our country's politics?

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

    • @Enlightened (delusional) Malaysian.
      They only reported evidence of corruption, and good thing they did. It was up to our courts and authorities whether or not to prosecute, also good thing they did. You're a buffoon for comparing two non-equal scenarios.

      Pity the Muslims who are caught in between this row. The PH government should have handled things allot better with regards to moves that can have an impact on foreign relations.

      Posted 5 years ago by Paren Leo · Reply

    • & which evidence of corruption from WSJ/SR source that prosecutor took as a solid evidence for bringing up case? mind to share?

      Don't you there are tonnes of so-called evidence that WSJ/SR said were from 'anonymous/an official that cant be named/from insider without even bringing it real to prosecutor to even start a case with?

      Take a look at recent SR article that said DS Najib Razak "MIGHT" not actually involve in 1MDB fiasco. what a WTF revelation.

      & again, outsider interfere in our local problem?

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

  • Why be nice to a country that sponsors terrorism?

    Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • Yeah..why should we be nice to US. Owh, you didn't know US also sponsor terrorist? poor you

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

    • You have a weird habit of picking a fight by bringing a non-subject such as US. What is in your brain?

      Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • Enlightened Malayin is actually a non enlighten creep who is trying to earn a living paying back his master by writing nonscence. His facts are twisted and no head no tail. Challenge him a little bit and he goes hay wire and will fall back on the 3Rs being threaten. Bollocks !!!! Full of shits.

      Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

    • it is a subject. u said SA is sponsor terrorism. well, US is also sponsored terrorism through CIA around the world. CIA supply weapons to terrorist Taliban to fend off Russia. Remember?

      but we still be nice towards US, isnt it? WHY? why we can be nice to US but can't be nice to SA?

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

    • Lee Lee aawwww that's cute. what a quick escalation towards me. Hey, 3R were played like hell by PH also la, not just BN..stop with the play victim mentality

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

    • Nothing cute!!! Just sad that you are the best from the rubbish heap that Umno could pick. Spreading fake news only reveal your inadequacy. Stop pretending to be an intellectual in world affairs and economics where you do not have enough stuff to banter and anyway can see that there is no more grey matter in your muddled up skull.. I guess you have not even suckle enough to be on your own.

      Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • They control the haj quota. We bow and say sorry, we get more. Muslim brotherhood? Or "Hood" the brother whenever you like.

    Posted 5 years ago by Jebat Hebat · Reply

  • we don't need them and why should we "bow" to them?

    Posted 5 years ago by Edi suleiman · Reply

    • yeah..

      we dont need SA
      we dont need China
      we dont need US

      thats why we severe ties with all of them like what we did right now. clever new malaysia. haa tepuuukk

      Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply

    • Enlightened - you like to swing from one extreme end to the other extreme end. You are really weird.

      Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • How can it be that a foreign country can dictate to us which person it wants to deal with in official matters? It has to deal with the government of the day. If indeed this is true, the PH government is caving in to blackmail.

    Posted 5 years ago by Thuan Chai Chan · Reply

  • Tell those towelheads that you either deal with us or forget it. We don't need their help.

    Posted 5 years ago by Mokhzani Mohamad · Reply

  • Fake news

    Posted 5 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply