PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official trip to Saudi Arabia was to include a meeting with that country’s top two leaders, says Wisma Putra.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ministry received a diplomatic note from the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur dated March 21 confirming Anwar’s official visit 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 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 on Tuesday (March 28).
Zambry also reiterated that the diplomatic notes were the most official form of intergovernmental communication.
He also said the Malaysian delegation to Saudi Arabia was granted full state guest status throughout the visit.
He added that Saudi officials requested the delegation to extend the visit so that courtesy calls with both Saudi leaders could be arranged.
“However, the Malaysian delegation explained that the request could not be fulfilled due to the commitments of the Prime Minister that were set earlier," Zambry said.
On Monday (March 27), it was reported that former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin described the trip as a “huge diplomatic blunder” as the meeting with King Salman and the Crown Prince did not take place.
