Wrong to bash Muhyiddin’s Saudi trip


PRIME minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s official visit to Saudi Arabia should not be politicised.

The malice on the various social media platform only goes to show how low some quarters could go in “sensationalising and attacking” Muhyiddin and his entourage who are now in Riyadh to push forward bilateral ties between Kuala Lumpur and the kingdom to new heights.

Even Muhyiddin’s umrah was made a mockery.

They said since Muhyiddin would only meet King Salman Abulaziz Al-Saud virtually there, the visit should not have been done in the first place.

Such a virtual meeting could have been done in Pagoh (Muhyiddin’s constituency) instead.

Some cyber troopers also described the visit as a waste of public’s fund.

Seems like they will stop at nothing to paint a negative picture of Muhyiddin, the Perikatan Nasional government and this country.

Clearly, their acts are an entrenched form of cyberbullying.

Looks like they just can’t wait for the 15th general election to be called. Thank goodness the state of emergency is on to fight Covid-19.

They are so overly confident that they could win the general election, with cooperation with and “marriage of convenience” of their worse political enemies.

Their narratives on Muhyiddin’s overseas, diplomatic visits have always been consistent – to run down the government by hook or by crook.

Muhyiddin’s visit to Indonesia prior to Saudi Arabia, received the same backlash and condemnations.

Maybe political affiliates and cyber troopers who are after Muhyiddin’s blood can digest what Riyadh said – that the visit is a high-level strategic one to institutionalise cooperation between KL-Riyadh and to follow up on opportunities in many sectors, including umrah and haj pilgrimage.

Riyadh is looking for a strong momentum in bilateral ties with us. – March 9, 2021.

* Haikal Azman reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.


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Comments


  • I think the people were not senselessly questioning the need for the trip. If its Umrah, it should be ok but should be at one's own expenses. But if the meeting with the Saudi King was used as the excuse for Umrah, then it invites criticism because the meeting is virtual and PM does not have to go to Saudi for that. If he is paying for his own Umrah and then doing an extra of meeting the King virtually, I don't think anyone will question his motive. It is far fetched to call this cyber bullying; the govt is not immune from being criticized for any decisions it make. There is always room in democracy for alternative opinions. This writer is also cyberbullying the people who speak out against what they see as wrong. Don't we want any checks and balances?

    Posted 5 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply