KUALA LUMPUR: Saudi Arabia's King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud has directed the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Action (KSrelief) to urgently support Malaysia with medical supplies to help the country overcome challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Saudi Gazette in a report quoted KSrelief Supervisor-General Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who is also an adviser at the Royal Court, as saying that King Salman's directive demonstrated the depth of the strong relations between the two countries.
Al-Rabeeah had in a statement also shared that the medical aid comprises one million doses of Covid-19 vaccines.
"We will coordinate with the office of the Malaysian Foreign Minister to secure a contract with one of the approved international vaccine makers to supply the required quantities directly to Malaysia," Al-Rabeeah was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the royal order came in response to a request made during his talks with Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman.
"This is a result of my phone call with HRH Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and Malaysia is extremely grateful for HM King Salman's desire to assist us.
"Will work closely with the Crown Prince and Wisma Putra will work out details of the assistance from Saudi Arabia," the Senior Minister (Security Cluster) tweeted.
In a subsequent post on his Facebook page, Hishammuddin said he viewed it as a great honour and one that symbolises the sincerity of the Saudi Arabia government in establishing friendship with Malaysia.
"I have just contacted the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, His Royal Highness Mohammad bin Salman.
"The Crown Prince had informed me that the King of Saudi Arabia who is also the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman himself has ordered that the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Action immediately channel donations of medical equipment and any needs to help Malaysia address the Covid-19 pandemic challenge.
"On behalf of the Malaysian government, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and the Saudi Arabia government for their kindness and deep concern.
"InsyaAllah, I will continue to work closely with the Crown Prince to detail the latest forms of needs that the country requires as well as ensure that His Majesty King Salman's royal order runs smoothly," Hishammuddin wrote.