Najib: Malaysia-Saudi Arabia ties at an all time high

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia- Saudi Arabia ties are flying high with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud’s maiden visit here described as productive.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said with bilateral relations at an all time high, the path ahead would be smooth.

“King Salman used the term highest or best ever relations between our countries.

“I am confident that the visit by the Ruler will cement and put our relations on a strong trajectory,” the Prime Minister told a press conference after concluding his meetings with King Salman and his delegation at Seri Perdana yesterday.

Najib said King Salman was pleased with Malaysia’s stance on international issues, namely the country’s efforts to showcase “authentic” Islam and combating terror threats from IS.

“We both agreed to increase cooperation to fight terror and extremism, as well as strengthen our partnerships in security and defence.

“The Ruler has also agreed to set up a King Salman Centre for Global Peace here with the aim of stamping out the narrative brought by radicals and extremists.

“It will also help to promote Malaysia’s concept of Wasatiyyah, or moderation,’’ he added.

Najib also said the Saudi Ruler would consider Malaysia’s request to increase the Haj quota.

“We are thankful that Saudi Arabia has increased the quota for Malaysian pilgrims this year to 30,000.

“We have requested for it to be increased, and the King was positive and said it would be consid- ered,” he said.

The two leaders held a closeddoor meeting at Seri Perdana, which was followed by a bilateral meeting with King Salman’s delegation.

This followed the signings of four memoranda of understanding (MoU) between both governments.

Three of the agreements were cooperation in the fields of economy, labour and human resources and education and science.