Anwar said he did not agree with the way the centre’s operations were shut down earlier as it was done without consultation with the Saudi Arabian government.
“Any government has the right to open or can also propose its closure.
“But with our friend (Saudi Arabia), there should have been consultations, notices and discussions. Apparently, this was not done.
“So, I cannot defend the hasty way of ending the initiative, without discussing with the parties involved,” he told a press conference here at the end of his three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia. He returned home early today.
Anwar was asked whether his government planned to revive the proposal to construct a permanent KSCIP building in Putrajaya.
KSCIP was first proposed after the visit of Saudi monarch King Salman Abdul Aziz Al-Saud to Malaysia in March 2017 and the participation of then prime minister Najib Razak in a summit in Riyadh, also attended by then US President Donald Trump.
Anwar said he had personally informed Saudi leaders and their representatives earlier that he did not support the action of ending the initiative.
“Should they revive it? We are open to discussions, setting the appropriate regulations and method,” he added.
Anwar said Malaysia enjoyed excellent relations with Saudi Arabia, including in business matters, banking and Islamic activities. He wished to step up these ties with the kingdom.
He hoped that this good relationship can enable Malaysia to benefit from some of Saudi Arabia’s new initiatives driven by Vision 2030, introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
During the visit, Anwar and his delegation had a meeting with the Saudi Arabian business community at the headquarters of the Islamic Development Bank here.
The secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Brahim Taha, and the secretary-general of the Muslim World League, Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, called on Anwar.
Anwar also witnessed the signing of three memoranda of understanding between private companies in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister and members of his delegation also performed the umrah and met with Malaysians residing in Jeddah, Mecca and Medina for iftar (breaking of fast).
Anwar said the Saudi Arabian leaders had requested him to extend his visit so that he could meet more Saudi leaders.
He said he had to turn it down because of the scheduled iftar with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow and an official visit to Cambodia on Monday.
Anwar said the Saudi Arabian business community’s interest in investing in Malaysia was a testament to the political stability in Malaysia.
He said this confidence was expressed by the chairmen of both the National Chamber of Commerce and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce, whom he met.
He said they were waiting for this moment when there is greater stability, a clear direction and a commitment to ensure ease of doing business in Malaysia. They also wanted to see corruption being wiped out and a greater focus on good governance, he said.
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