Perikatan MPs to Anwar: Explain why there was no Msia-Saudi meeting of PMs

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional MPs have demanded an explanation as to why Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did not meet with his host during his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia.

"The Prime Minister is requested to explain this in the Dewan Rakyat," says Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (pic).

Wan Fayhsal said that the meeting of the two Prime Ministers was scheduled earlier but there were no news reports about the event.

“According to a Foreign Affairs Ministry's press statement, Anwar was on an official visit to Saudi Arabia from March 22 to 24, based on the invitation of Mohammed Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who is the Prime Minister-cum-Crown Prince," he said.

The International Affairs Committee of Perikatan MPs head added that the ministry said that the two were scheduled to meet, but his visit has ended and there has been no news of the meeting taking place.

It has been reported the meeting did not take place as the crown prince had a change of plans and that the Saudi leaders had requested for Anwar to extend his stay in order to meet with Mohammed and the King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Before ending his visit, Anwar said he had to turn down the suggestion to extend his trip because of the scheduled iftar with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah last night and an official visit to Cambodia.

He left for Kuala Lumpur at 5.30am (12.30 am local time) on Saturday (March 25).

“There was also no report stating that Anwar was invited to enter the Kaabah, as should be the usual courtesy given to a state leader on an official visit to the holy city,” said the Machang MP.

He added that such treatment was given to former Malaysian Prime Ministers Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, who is also Bersatu Youth chief, claimed that Anwar had also failed to meet up with his counterpart in Saudi Arabia's Finance Ministry during his trip.

He also asked Anwar to present to the Parliament the overall cost for his trip including the expanses involving the security team, the delegation from the Prime Minister's Department as well as the other ministries.