PUTRAJAYA: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Ahmed Al-Jubeir – who in 2016 corroborated the claim that billions of ringgit transferred to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s personal account was a ‘genuine donation’ – arrived in Malaysia yesterday for a three-day visit.
Al-Jubeir – who is accompanied by officials from his ministry – will be meeting with Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah at Wisma Putra here, today.
According to Bernama, he is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at his office here on Friday, upon his return from Bangkok.
“The meeting will provide an opportunity for both sides to discuss strengthening bilateral relations between Malaysia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and exchange views on various international issues of mutual interest,” Wisma Putra said in a statement today.
During a meeting in Istanbul in 2016 with then-foreign minister Anifah Aman, Al-Jubeir was asked by reporters about the billions of ringgit which had been transferred to Najib’s personal bank account.
"We are aware of the donation and it is genuine with nothing expected in return.
“We are also fully aware that the Attorney General of Malaysia has thoroughly investigated the matter and found no wrongdoing.
“So, as far as we are concerned, the matter is closed," was Al-Jubeir’s response, Malaysiakini reported.
Al-Jubeir’s statement was repeatedly cited by the then-Barisan Nasional (BN) government as proof that no malfeasance had been committed.
Following BN’s defeat in the May 9 general election, investigators in Malaysia and four other countries re-opened their probe into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal and concluded that the funds had been misappropriated from the strategic development company.
Saudi Arabia is Malaysia’s second largest trading partner in the Middle East.
Total bilateral trade in 2017 increased by 6.8 per cent to RM15 billion compared to RM14.04 billion in the preceding year.