M’sia to do its part to help resolve Qatar crisis

KLUANG: Malaysia will forward the Asean aspiration to resolve the Middle East diplomatic crisis involving Qatar during Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain beginning today.

Hishammuddin, who is representing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to meet with the leaders of Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Speaking to reporters after launching the Armed Force Carnival here yesterday, Hishammuddin said the visit was important for Malaysia to get first hand news on the development of ISIS threat and also to enhance intelligence network connections with the countries.

“Our worry is that refugees who find their way here may be spying on us, so our intelligence network with the Middle East countries is vital,” he added.

On June 5, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Eygpt and Yemen severed diplomatic ties with Qatar, claiming that the move was to protect their respective governments from extremism, which is allegedly supported by Qatar.

Hishammuddin, who is also Minister with Special Functions in the Prime Minister’s Department, added that the visit was also significant as Malaysia enjoys good ties with Qatar and the four countries that were going through the internal crisis.

“We want to hear them out, to understand the root cause of the crisis and do some fact finding before giving our input or suggestions on the matter. Our stance is still respected among these countries.

“Our enemies are the same – ISIS, militancy and several parties that attack Islam, thus the three Muslim countries in the Asean region namely Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei should play a role and show support,” he said.

“Although the United States of America and Kuwait were already playing the middle-man role, Malaysia should not turn a blind eye or think that such issue would not affect our country,” he said.

Hishammuddin added that he also planned to visit Kuwait and Doha to follow up on the matter after visiting the three countries.