Attacks on Anwar’s Saudi visit are ‘all about Malay votes’

 

During his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Anwar Ibrahim failed to meet with King Salman Abdulaziz despite announcing that a meeting had been scheduled. (Anwar Ibrahim Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional’s attacks on Anwar Ibrahim over his Saudi Arabia visit are to create doubt among Malay-Muslim voters about Anwar’s standing as a leader of an Islamic nation, according to a political analyst.

Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said PN was trying to portray to Malay-Muslim voters that Anwar’s failure to obtain an audience with the Saudi king and crown prince meant that he had not won the respect of the Saudi rulers.

However, Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya said what happened in Saudi Arabia could also be linked to Anwar’s close ties with Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“What is happening is that there is competition between the Saudi royal family and Erdogan to be seen as the leader of the Muslim world,” he said.

Azmi said Pakatan Harapan had also suffered a negative perception among voters in 2018 because of Dr Mahathir Mohammad’s strained relationship with his Saudi counterpart.

“PN is trying to paint an image that Anwar is not getting the respect of Riyadh, which is considered as the symbol of the Islamic world and also known as the guardian of Mecca,” he told FMT.

He said PH could counter the attacks by explaining convincingly why the meeting between the top leaders did not take place.

Anwar has been under criticism for failing to meet with King Salman Abdulaziz or crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is the Saudi prime minister.

Azmi said PN would play up the lack of an audience as a sign that Anwar is not recognised as a leader of a Muslim nation.

Awang Azman said the only way for Anwar to counter his critics would be to ensure he meets the Saudi leaders during his next visit to give a positive image of his leadership as prime minister.

“If King Salman and the crown prince come to visit Malaysia, Anwar’s image in the eyes of Malay-Muslim voters will be positive,” he said.

On Sunday, an aide of Anwar brushed off criticism from the opposition which attempted to paint the visit as a failure and a waste of public funds.

Ahmad Farhan Fauzi said Anwar’s three-day visit was “fruitful” and had strengthened bilateral ties between both nations.

Farhan also said the prime minister had a tight schedule which meant that he was unable to meet with other leaders of the Saudi Arabian government.

However, the prime minister held a meeting with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the World Muslim League in Mecca. - FMT