Malaysia hopes protest won't hurt ties with Saudi Arabia

PETALING JAYA, Malaysia - Malaysia hopes the irresponsible act of a few of its citizens in expressing their support for Bersih 3.0 in Mecca and Medina will not tarnish the good name and image of its people and the country.

This message was conveyed to Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal by his Malaysian counterpart Datuk Seri Anifah Aman during their bilateral talks in Riyadh on Wednesday.

In a statement, Wisma Putra said yesterday that both ministers were happy with the strong bilateral relations and cooperation.

"The two ministers also discussed the irresponsible act of small groups of Malaysians in Mecca and Medina on April 26.

"The Foreign Minister expressed the hope that this isolated incident will not tarnish the image of the people and country," the statement added.

The Saudi Government, through its Kuala Lumpur embassy, had sent a diplomatic note to Wisma Putra requesting the Malaysian Government to ensure and forbid its citizens from taking part or organising any protests in Saudi Arabia.

The note, dated May 3, had also asked the Malaysian Government to ensure that the incidents were not repeated.

Two groups of Malaysians had shown their support for the Bersih rally in Mecca and in the compound of the Nabawi Mosque in Medina by holding banners and wearing yellow Bersih T-shirts.

Following the incidents, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom had expressed the Government's concern that the Saudi Government might bar Malaysians from performing the haj and umrah.

Anifah was in Riyadh to attend the Friends of Yemen Ministerial Meeting chaired by Prince Saud Al-Faisal.

The meeting was aimed at garnering international support and assistance in helping Yemen address a broad range of challenges including politics, economy, humanitarian and security.

Anifah told the meeting that Malaysia was willing to share its experience and provide assistance in certain areas including technical cooperation and capacity building.