PUTRAJAYA, Feb 27 — King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has described Malaysia-Saudi Arabia relations as being at “an all-time high”, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today.
Najib said this was conveyed by the Saudi monarch during their four-eyed meeting at Seri Perdana, the Prime Minister’s official residence here, in conjunction with King Salman’s four-day state visit to Malaysia beginning yesterday.
He said King Salman, who is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, had used the term “highest ever or best ever relations” to relate to the long-established ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
“I am confident that this historic visit of King Salman will cement as well as put our relations on a strong trajectory now and in future,” he said at a press conference at Seri Perdana.
King Salman is on his maiden visit to Malaysia at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V. Najib said Malaysia felt proud and honoured to welcome King Salman on his maiden visit to the country after his having ascended the throne in 2015.
“My talks with King Salman were very productive and cordial and covered various topics of bilateral and international interest.
“King Salman was most comfortable with Malaysia’s stand on international issues, especially on measures to explain the authentic Islam and fight any form of terrorism such as Islamic State,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in the military and security aspects to combat terrorism.
In principle, Najib said, the two countries came to a decision on several matters, including on exchange of assets, the details of which would be announced later.
He said King Salman informed that Saudi Arabia would set up the King Salman Centre for Global Peace in Malaysia to combat the narratives of radical and extremist groups.
The centre would help boost the concept of ‘wasatiyyah’ (moderation) not only in Malaysia but also in Western countries, he said.
Najib also said that he and King Salman also discussed developments of current issues in the Middle East and well as the relationship between Islamic countries and the major powers. — Bernama
