PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is embarking on fact finding mission in regards to the threats posed by Islamic State, with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein scheduled to visit three Gulf States next week.
Hishammuddin told reporters after the Prime Minister's Department Hari Raya Aildilfitri open house that he would be in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and might head to Kuwait and Qatar.
With Qatar currently embroiled in diplomatic crisis with its neighbours, Hishamuddin said it would be better to get a first-hand account of the matter.
"I need to have the updates and feedback as to why there a crisis with Qatar and you can only do that when you go face to face with them," he added.
Doha has denied allegations levelled against Qatar, that it is sponsoring extremist groups.
The tiny gas-rich nation had stated it had adopted robust counter-terrorism measures.
On the recent Hawk 108 fighter jet crash, Hishammuddin said the probe into incident is ongoing, but he had yet to get the latest update.
Two pilots were killed in the June crash and the aircraft wreckage was found in a Terengganu forest.