PM to perform umrah, granted audience by King Salman

 

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will depart for Saudi Arabia today to perform the umrah and be granted a virtual audience by King Salman on March 9.

Muhyiddin said he was also scheduled to meet Crown Prince Mohammed Salman, who is the deputy prime minister and defence minister of Saudi Arabia.

"My visit is very significant because, among others, we will discuss bilateral ties, explore cooperation in trade, investments and Islamic affairs.

"Certainly, the haj and umrah quota will be discussed during the meeting," he added.

Following this, Muhyiddin will fly to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he will meet Crown Prince Mohammed Zayed Al Nahyan and Emirati ruler Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum.

Muhyiddin's visit to the two countries followed prior visits by Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein just a month ago.

An international relations expert told Malaysiakini that typically, this would often signify an important deal was being discussed.

Relations between Malaysia and the two countries took a hit during the Pakatan Harapan administration.

The Harapan administration pulled back troops from Saudi Arabia, which has engaged in military action in neighbouring Yemen since March 2015.

The war has claimed more than 100,000 civilian lives through bombings, starvation and disease.

Meanwhile, some top UEA officials are intertwined with the 1MDB saga, which has prompted international investigations for money laundering. - Mkini