MALAYSIA HAS ACHIEVED, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, AN INTERNATIONAL ROYAL SNUB LIKE NO OTHER

 

Two very senior sources, both in well placed positions in two separate ministries, to be in the know, confirmed and collaborated each other, without knowing that the other also divulged the same information. They said:

1. The Saudis very diplomatically suggested that a certain Prime Minister should make an official visit only after the month of Syawal as the month of Ramadhan in Saudi Arabia is strictly reserved for fasting and prayers, while Syawal for various local festivities amongst the Saudis in the Kingdom.

2. A certain Prime Minister famed for his regrettable impatience and disregard for subtle diplomacy refused to accept any or all advice from Wisma Putra and instructed them to "get it done."

3. The Saudis repeated their stance, and very politely suggested dates after Syawal. Wisma Putra, caught in a bind, pleaded with them. The Saudis said, "Very well, come, but we cannot guarantee any meetings, formal or informal, with our Boss. Let this be clear."

4. This certain very impatient Prime Minister decided to go, despite Wisma Putra not having firmed up anything substantial or concrete. One may say he was "trying his luck."

5. One also may say, "You do not try your luck with the nation's reputation and integrity just because of your insatiable need for global recognition." And certainly not with a nation that is far richer, stronger and more powerful than yours.

6. An official visit to the holiest site of the Ka'abah is always at the invitation of its guardians. No such invitation was extended. Which explains why a certain Prime Minister and his entourage, despite visiting the Masjid AlHaram to perform the umrah, were not invited to enter the Ka'abah, a honour reserved for the highest ranked dignitaries who are OFFICIALLY INVITED.

7. It did not help that just a matter of a week or more before, this certain Prime Minister had been gallivanting in Turkey and air kissing cheek to cheek with Turkish dignitaries, not exactly the best friends of the Saudis. The Saudis have ears, eyes and noses everywhere, and can tell you even what Turkish Delight a certain Prime Minister amused himself with.

8. The two highly placed sources who divulged this information are now not confident that a formal invitation for a full official visit to the Kingdom may be extended for yet a long while.

9. Implications - bilateral trade, Saudi investment, and Haj quotas may all be impacted. Due to one man's impatience and oversized bloated ego. 

10. Adding insult to injury is the fact that Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman (MBS) is in the country during the period. He was reported visiting Madinah Mosque on the 26th, a day after the certain Prime Minister left home.

11. Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Prime Minister visit to Saudi was just to perform Umrah and no mentioning of it as an official state visit.  One can search SPA for confirmation.

Moral of the story: You're trying to eat grass that isn't there. Why don't you give it a chance to grow? Desert sand isn't so tasty, is it?


Salams,