MALAYSIA has a long history of close ties with Saudi Arabia.
Though formal diplomatic relations between the two nations began in 1961, trade links could be traced back to the Malacca sultanate of the 15th century, when the spread of Islam in the region flourished in tandem with the reach of Arab merchant ships.
So, it makes sense for Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to refresh these ties from time to time, particularly when a new ruler assumes power.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Abdulaziz Al Saud ascended the throne in January at a time of great challenges in the Middle East — from the rise of militant extremism to economic turbulence brought by plunging crude oil prices.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s visit to the kingdom in June at the invitation of King Salman — barely six months into his reign — shows the importance Saudi Arabia places on its relations with Malaysia.
King Salman has shown foresight by appointing in April a slate of new talent to his council of ministers to meet these challenges. Among them is Foreign Minister Adel Ahmed al-Jubeir, a career diplomat with almost 30 years’ experience in the Saudi foreign service. Al-Jubeir was in Malaysia on Wednesday, his first visit to this country as foreign minister, to pay courtesy calls on Najib and his Malaysian counterpart, Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.
During his visit, al-Jubeir reiterated Saudi Arabia’s commitment to cooperate with Malaysia to fight extremism, as well as other fields, including political consultation, economics, the military and education. He had praised Malaysia’s achievement in creating a tolerant and successful multicultural society.
“I wish to express my admiration for your great nation; your achievements over the last few decades. The level of moderation, tolerance and inclusion that you have been able to achieve can be a model for other Islamic nations to follow,” he said.
As a follow-up to this visit, the New Sunday Times spoke to Anifah about the state of affairs with the Gulf kingdom, Malaysia-Saudi collaboration to tackle extremism, plans to boost trade and education cooperation with Saudi Arabia, and the perennial concern of Muslims in the country — will the Saudis grant a larger quota to Malaysia for haj pilgrims?
Question: Foreign Minister Adel Ahmed al-Jubeir is part of Saudi Arabia’s reshuffled cabinet that brought younger talent to the kingdom’s administration. Does Malaysia see a new approach in Saudi-Malaysia relations?
Answer: Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed long and cordial relations for more than 50 years.
The kingdom’s leadership has always been accommodating
and supportive in all our efforts to strengthen and intensify cooperation between our two countries.
The existing close ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are a result of continuous support and efforts by both sides aiming to solidify collaboration in all spheres from previous years. Malaysian leaders will continue to work closely with all Saudi leaders to ensure the existing relations will flourish further.
Question: Saudi Arabia and Malaysia are seen as influential voices in the Islamic world. But challenges have flared in recent years in the form of rising extremism and oppression faced by Muslim communities in Palestine, Syria, and even right at Malaysia’s doorstep in Myanmar. How can Malaysia and Saudi Arabia lead the way to resolve these issues?
Answer: Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have many experiences dealing with the ummah problems around the world. Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have often voiced out their positions and concerns regarding the matter, particularly against extremism and oppression faced by Muslims around the world, through the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and other international fora.
At present, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are members of the OIC Contact Group for the Rohingya people in Myanmar and part of the United States coalition to address terrorism by the Islamic State in the Middle East.
Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have similar positions on many issues pertaining to extremism and terrorism in the Middle East, and we are working together to address the problem.
Question: Saudi Arabia has taken a more assertive stance in tackling the rise of extremism in the Middle East. Is this approach being extended beyond the region, in particular to Malaysia? How is collaboration being enhanced in this area?
Answer: Saudi Arabia’s assertive stance in tackling the rise of extremism in the Middle East has thus far been confined to the Middle East.
This notwithstanding, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia have long been in cooperation in tackling extremism and terrorism.
Malaysia and Saudi Arabia believe in the importance of cooperation in tackling transnational problems, such as extremism and terrorism, in order to counter it effectively.
We will work with all our partners, including Saudi Arabia, to eradicate this siege (of extremism).
Question: Malaysia will set up with the US a regional digital centre to counter the IS ideology. What lessons can we learn from Saudi Arabia in deradicalising extremist youths? Is there anything the Saudis hope to learn from us?
Answer: Having had to deal with the problem, Saudi Arabia is acknowledged to have quite an extensive deradicalisation programme.
The programme requires the participation of various government agencies, such as the ministries of interior or internal affairs; education; youth and sports; health; and religious affairs; and social welfare agencies.
The programme involves a variety of modules with long durations — from preventive to rehabilitation — to avoid relapse of judgment (of the extremists). The security agencies of the two countries can look into the sharing of experiences and good practices on what works and what does not in deradicalising youths.
Question: There are between 2,000 and 3,000 Saudi students in Malaysia. As Malaysia positions itself as an education hub, are there plans to attract more Saudis to study here? What areas of study do you think Saudis would be interested to undertake here?
Answer: Saudi Arabia is currently developing its human capital by sending Saudi students to reputable universities and colleges around the world.
Malaysia is seen as the preferable destination for Saudi students because of the number of well-established universities and colleges in the country offering a variety of professional courses, conducive learning environment and facilities. And most importantly, they are all affordable.
The number of Saudi students to Malaysia has been steadily increasing over the years. Malaysia has been the choice for Saudi students to pursue their higher education, especially in the fields of engineering, architecture and information technology (IT).
Among the courses of interest in the field of engineering are chemical, petrochemical and civil engineering, while popular areas in IT are in telecommunication and software.
Question: You were reported as saying that trade with Saudi Arabia stood at a satisfactory RM13.1 billion. What can be done to boost this number and what new areas of trade can be explored?
Answer: Globally, Saudi Arabia is Malaysia’s 19th largest trading partner, 23rd largest export destination and 17th largest import source.
The amount of bilateral trade between Malaysia and the kingdom has shown significant and continuous increase over the years — from US$260 million in 1990 to US$4.019 billion last year.
Malaysian companies have the capacity and competency to participate in urgently needed investment sectors in Saudi Arabia that includes energy (petrochemicals, crude oil refining, fertilisers, power and water), transport and logistics, information and communication technology (ICT), healthcare and life sciences, and education.
Saudi Arabia appears to be offering abundant investment opportunities for Malaysian businesses, especially in areas where Malaysia has a comparative advantage to create mutually beneficial business ventures for both countries.
There is much room for expansion of our trade relationship in many areas, such as for machinery, appliances and parts, building and construction materials, palm oil, processed foods and beverages, as well as wood products.
Malaysia also offers a wide range of services, including property development, construction, engineering services, power generation, Islamic banking and financial services, ICT, franchise, healthcare and education, to name a few.
Question: More Malaysians can now afford to go for the haj, but the quota never seems to be enough. What can Malaysia do to increase this?
Answer: The haj quota given to each country was set in an agreement under the OIC.
Because of the expansion works at the Grand Mosque (Masjidil Haram) in Mecca, the quota for every country has been reduced by 20 per cent.
However, we have been continuously engaging the Saudi government for an increase.
The well-handling of Malaysian haj pilgrims and their refined and pleasant conduct during the haj season are value-added factors for the Saudi government to consider to increase the haj quota.
The Saudi government has in the past granted us special haj quota. This is possible because of the close and brotherly relations between the leaders of the two countries.