by Ganesh Sahathevan
Prior to his recent trip to Saudi Arabia to see Crown Prince Moahamad Bin Salman and King Salman, Anwar Ibrahim made a lightning trip to Turkey to visit close friend Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey has also, since around 2006, been home to the formerly Specially Designated Global Terrorist Sheik Yassin Al-Kadi. Sheik Yassin is known to have been in business with Erdogan's son Bilal. Additionally Sheik Yassin's ties to members of Anwar Ibrahim's camp, namely Rahim Ghouse and Wans Hasni Wan Sulaiman is a matter of public record, even if not widely known.
While Sheik Yassin is regarded a billionaire in his own right it is more likely than not that he has been managing funds for the Sudari branch of the Al-Sauds, who have been succeeded, since the death of King Abdullah, by King Salman and his branch of the Al-Saud family. The Sudari's financial arrangements vis-a-vis the larger Al-Saud family came to the fore, to some extent, when Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman arrested his cousins, including Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal, as part of an anti-corruption campaign. The Saudi Government is reported to have said that some USD 107 Billion was recovered during that campaign.
It is not unlikely that Yassin Al-Kadi's funds, as well as that of his business partners, who may still include Anwar confidante Rahim Ghouse, and members of Erdogan's family, have been sequestered by the Saudi Government as part of that anti-corruption campaign ,under the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed Bun Salman.
Anwar Ibrahim would be the best placed, given his position as Prime Minister Malaysia to seek some compromise for the release of the funds, and that may well be the purpose of Anwar's lighting trips to Turkey and Saudi Arabia. If so, it is very likely that the Crown Prince would have had no interest in any negotiation. That may well be the reason for the royal snub.
TO BE READ WITH
Opposition MP files emergency motion to discuss PM Anwar’s recent Saudi Arabia visit, claims could affect Malaysia’s haj quota and palm oil exports
KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 — Machang MP Wan Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal today filed an emergency motion to discuss Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent visit to Saudi Arabia in the Dewan Rakyat.
The Opposition lawmaker from Perikatan Nasional described the recent official visit as an “embarrassment” to Malaysia in a press conference in Parliament, claiming that Anwar had failed to attend a scheduled meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salaman Al Saud who is also the kingdom’s prime minister.
According to Wan Fayhsal, the way Anwar dealt with matters on that visit could have an impact on bilateral ties that could jeopardise the haj quota for Malaysian Muslims to Mecca, as well as the sale of palm oil products, which is a major contributor to the Treasury.
He also hopes Anwar will attend tomorrow’s scheduled Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow so that the Opposition’s questions can be answered directly.
“We will be there. We will not run away. We will not make a police report,” Wan Fayhsal said.
He referred to a bilateral deal that was agreed upon by both governments in March 2021 when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was prime minister for Malaysia to be allocated an extra 10,000 slots for the haj, and for Malaysia to export an extra 500,000 tonnes of palm oil to Saudi Arabia worth RM1 billion.
Anwar began his official three-day visit to Saudi Arabia on March 22 and was 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.
National news agency Bernama reported Anwar had an audience scheduled with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed at the Al Salam Palace.
The Saudi government was reported last Saturday to have invited Anwar to extend his visit there for two more days.
However, Anwar reportedly refused the extension, citing a programme he had to attend at home.
Anwar is currently in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for a one-day visit.
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