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.
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.
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.
Comments
Posted 5 years ago by Joe Blog · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Simple Sulaiman · Reply
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
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
Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply
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
Posted 5 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply
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
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
Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply
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
Posted 5 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply
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
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
Posted 5 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply
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
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
Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply
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
Posted 5 years ago by Enlightened Malaysian · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Jebat Hebat · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Edi suleiman · Reply
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
Posted 5 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Thuan Chai Chan · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Mokhzani Mohamad · Reply
Posted 5 years ago by Will Be Humble · Reply