Why are detractors silent about PMX’s latest Saudi trip to attend WEF after whipping up a storm on his maiden trip?

 

AN observant netizen has teased the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) camp for not “kicking up a fuss” about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s (PMX) recent departure under the personal invitation from Saudi Crown Prince and PM Mohammed bin Salman to attend the special meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh.

After whipping up a storm in March 2023 when Anwar was run down by PN for “coming back empty handed” without even meeting Mohammed bin Salman, it seems that the latest trip to Saudi Arabia is Anwar’s fourth since assuming office as PM.

In fact, Anwar who arrived in Riyadh at 10pm local time on Saturday (April 27) for a three-day working visit during which he will participate in the WEF highlights the close relationship between both leaders, according to Malaysian ambassador to Saudi Arabia Datuk Wan Zaidi Wan Abdullah.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim greeted Mohammed bin Salman (right) during the inaugural summit between ASEAN leaders and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Oct 21, 2023 (Image credit: Bernama)

Another netizen alluded to the fact that PN does not have calibre leaders who can address or even speak as a panellist at the event themed Global Cooperation, Growth and Energy for Development which began yesterday (April 28).

In fact, PAS president Tan Sri Hadi Awang was never invited to speak at WEF when he was Malaysia’s special envoy to the Middle East.

A netizen teasingly wondered if Anwar’s predecessors Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob were able “to pull through” the question and answer (Q&A) speaking in English before an international audience.

However, a netizen raised a very pertinent question if Anwar who is also the Finance Minister did address the question of “geo-economic and geo-political issues and challenges” or was his response a general one? 

- Focus Malaysia