Why did PM Anwar fail to meet Saudi Crown Prince?

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Saudi Arabia Visit Meetings Unexplained

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's official visit to Saudi Arabia has raised questions regarding his scheduled meetings with Saudi counterparts, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. While the Prime Minister's Office confirmed a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince was planned, reports indicate this meeting did not occur, nor did a scheduled audience with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. The absence of these high-level engagements has led to calls for official clarification from the Prime Minister's Office.
Lack of Scheduled Meetings Highlighted

Bersatu's Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, chairman of Perikatan Nasional’s foreign affairs committee, has publicly stated that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did not meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, despite prior confirmation of such a meeting. This lack of engagement extended to the Saudi finance minister, who is the Crown Prince's ministerial counterpart. Wan Ahmad Fayhsal questioned whether the visit's objectives were met in the absence of bilateral discussions between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Absence of Customary Honours Noted

Further underscoring the unusual nature of the visit, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal pointed out the lack of reports indicating that Prime Minister Anwar was invited to enter the Kaaba in Mecca. This is typically an honour extended to visiting heads of state by Saudi Arabia, a practice observed with previous Malaysian Prime Ministers such as Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The omission of this customary gesture has added to the scrutiny surrounding the visit's outcomes.
Calls for Explanation and Transparency

Wan Ahmad Fayhsal has urged the Prime Minister's Office to provide a comprehensive explanation regarding the circumstances of the visit. He specifically requested clarification on whether all necessary arrangements and preparations were made, given the initial confirmation of the meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince. The Machang MP also seeks an explanation for what caused Anwar not to meet Prince Mohammed and whether there are any grounds for concern regarding Malaysia's relationship with Saudi Arabia, a significant trading partner. He also requested a detailed breakdown of all costs and expenditures for the visit, aligning with Anwar's emphasis on frugality.
Details of the Official Visit

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commenced a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia on a Wednesday, accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. According to the national news agency Bernama, Anwar had an audience scheduled with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the Crown Prince at Al Salam Palace. The specific reasons for the non-occurrence of these scheduled meetings were not provided in the initial reports.

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Why did PM Anwar fail to meet Saudi Crown Prince?

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