PUTRAJAYA: Wisma Putra has clarified that the invite to Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor was only for him to participate in the Prime Minister’s visit to the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS complex.
“The invitation was based on the appropriateness of his involvement in the programme,” it said.
The Foreign Ministry was referring to Sanusi’s remarks during the Kedah state assembly session on Wednesday that there was no seat prepared for him during the pre-council meeting with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Hotel Raia in Alor Setar which was held prior to the Prime Minister’s working visit to Sadao on Nov 27.
It clarified that Sanusi was not involved in the pre-council meeting with the Prime Minister and the invitation letter of Nov 25 to him also did not mention it.
“When the Mentri Besar decided to also attend this pre-council meeting, the Prime Minister prepared a seat for him,” Bernama quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying.
According to Wisma Putra, the Mentri Besar was also not involved in the Prime Minister’s visit to Sadao, but to fulfil his request at the last-minute, the Prime Minister agreed to allow him to join the Prime Minister’s official delegation.
Anwar arrived at the Sadao Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex for a one-day working visit to discuss matters related to Malaysia-Thailand bilateral cooperation.
Anwar was welcomed by his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin.
Meanwhile, ZAKIAH KOYA reports that Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir says there is no need for unnecessary politicking over the issue.
He said such unproductive public bickering was a waste of time and leaders should instead focus on the bigger development agenda, which was the reason for the trip.
Zambry, when contacted in New York, said he had checked with Wisma Putra to find out what exactly took place.
“I am not aware of what actually happened as I was in New York for the 78th United Nations General Assembly and UN Security Council meetings,” he said.
