PETALING JAYA: A courtesy call with Saudi Arabia’s top two leaders was included in the diplomatic note by the country to Wisma Putra, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
He said the ministry received a diplomatic note dated March 21 from the Saudi Arabian embassy in Kuala Lumpur confirming the dates of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Saudi Arabia from March 22 to 25.
“A similar diplomatic note was also received on the same date by the Malaysian embassy in Riyadh from the government of Saudi Arabia.
“The two diplomatic notes referred to the Prime Minister’s official visit from March 22 to 25, which included a courtesy call on King Salman Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, (who is also) the country’s prime minister,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Zambry also reiterated that the diplomatic notes were the most official intergovernmental communication.
He added that the Malaysian delegation to Saudi Arabia was granted full State Guest Status throughout the visit and Saudi officials had requested the delegation extend their visit for courtesy calls with both Saudi leaders, which would have been arranged.
“However, the Malaysian delegation had explained that the request cannot be fulfilled due to the commitments of the Prime Minister that have been set earlier, before the visit,” Zambry said.
On Monday, it was reported that former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin described the trip as a “huge diplomatic blunder” as the meeting with King Salman and Crown Prince did not take place.
