Umno VP wants Bersatu minister's head over PM's UAE visit blunder

Umno vice-president Khaled Nordin has called for Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah to be replaced over blunders that took place during Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

This follows murmurs of unrest in Wisma Putra after Malaysia’s ambassador to the UAE Tarid Sufian and Malaysia’s consul-general in Dubai, Hasril Abdul Hamid, were recalled over the lack of “official guest status” during Ismail Sabri's visit.

FMT reported that Tarid and Hasril were the only senior officers present at the airport to receive Ismail Sabri when he landed in Dubai.

There were also reportedly no senior government officials from the UAE who were present to receive the delegation that also included Saifuddin.

Khaled said what transpired in the UAE was an embarrassment, but that it was not right to just lay blame on the diplomats. It was the minister who should take the fall.

"The foreign minister should take responsibility for all that occurred. He forgets that he is the leader of Wisma Putra," the Umno vice-president said.

He added that Malaysia needs new leadership in Wisma Putra, and that Saifuddin's performance had not matched Malaysia's global stature.

Failure to coordinate

Wisma Putra yesterday described FMT's report as “containing inaccurate information, speculations and baseless allegations”.

However, it went on to confirm orders issued for the return of the two diplomats over failure to coordinate administrative and logistical affairs related to Ismail Sabri’s visit, particularly during his arrival on March 29.

“These failures include the prime minister’s lengthy wait at the normal arrival hall for passport clearance.

“Aside from that, (media) coverage and security details, as well as motorcades usually prepared for the prime minister as per standard procedure were also not provided,” said the Foreign Ministry, adding that the facilities come even without a formal guest status.

Furthermore, the two officers were blamed for allegedly failing to inform the ministry of the World Government Summit (WGS) held within the Dubai Expo 2020 area. As such there were no preparations were made for Ismail Sabri to deliver a speech. - Mkini