A Perikatan Nasional MP has submitted an emergency motion in the Dewan Rakyat to discuss the impact of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Saudi Arabia last week.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (above), the head of the opposition's international affairs committee, suggested at a press conference today that the parliamentary sitting be postponed under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2).
"Under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2), I suggest the sitting today be postponed to discuss certain arising matters, for the sake of public interest," the Machang MP said in a notice on the motion.
Among others, the motion seeks to discuss the economic impact, as well as the bilateral ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, from Anwar's official visit to that country from March 22 to 24.
Wan Fayhsal also sought to know the amount of money spent on the prime minister's delegation for the trip.
"Is it true that Saudi Arabia (sic) did not want to meet the PM? Because, if we see the Arab media reports, King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud, or Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Al Saud, were not overseas during Anwar's visit.
"This raises the question of whether the Malaysia-Saudi ties have become cold. Maybe it is due to the closure of the King Salman Centre for International Peace during the previous Pakatan Harapan rule," he told a press conference in the lobby of Parliament.
According to the Bersatu Youth chief, the apparent diplomatic snub could impact Malaysia in various ways, such as the haj quota and palm oil sales aid from Saudi.
Wan Fayhsal said that PN lawmakers are "eager" to listen to Anwar's reply on the matter.
He further questioned why Anwar's Saudi trip was done in a "hasty manner" - something he claimed embarrassed both Malaysia and the Saudi government.
"We seek a definite answer from the PM, and from Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, on this issue. We should not repeat mistakes that can cost the government."
Motion accepted by Dewan Rakyat speaker
Wan Fayhsal confirmed that his motion was accepted by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul at 9.50am this morning. In addition, Wan Fayhsal has also submitted questions on this issue for the Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQT) tomorrow.
Community Communications Department director-general Mohammad Agus Yusoff had previously defended Anwar's trip after the opposition painted it as a failure.
According to Agus, the success of Anwar's trip should not be judged solely on the fact that there was no meeting with the Saudi King and the Crown Prince.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim also weighed in on the issue, saying the opposition should defend the prime minister on the matter as Anwar represents all Malaysians. - Mkini
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