Malaysia and Saudi Arabia form the COVID-19 post-pandemic Strategic Committee

KUALA LUMPUR: A Strategic Committee has been established between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to discuss cooperation in various fields, especially during the post-COVID-19 pandemic era .

According to the Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, the committee chaired by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries will, among others, discuss bilateral cooperation based on economy and security.

"Today, I am pleased to announce that the close relationship between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia will lead to another important form of cooperation. The two countries have reached an agreement to set up a High-Level Strategic Committee to strengthen joint ventures across various areas of mutual interest.

"The Malaysia-Saudi Arabia High-Level Strategic Committee will be chaired by the Foreign Ministers of both countries; His Majesty Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of the Government of Saudi Arabia and myself," he said in a media statement on Sunday.

He said, the cooperation involved is very important apart from doubling efforts to fight the COVID-19 epidemic.

"This is important because COVID-19 not only impacts the health and safety of the people but also disrupts the economy, weakens the supply and food chain and social services.

"Therefore, through the establishment of this committee, the two countries will work closely in the effort to revive their respective economies due to the global economic downturn," he said.

Also in focus is re-stabilising the disrupted supply and food chain between the two countries, helping the people affected by the COVID-19 epidemic crisis as well as preliminary discussions on the pilgrimage quota for 2021.

For the record, Saudi Arabia is the largest contributor to COVID-19 aid to Malaysia with a total contribution of more than seven million units of medical equipment channeled through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.

"As Saudi Arabia is expected to loosen the border closure from January 1, 2021, this decision also touches on the possibility of allowing Muslims from outside Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj and Umrah with certain Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

"Although there is no final decision on hajj and umrah and the method of implementation by the Government of Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia share the same stance that it is important that discussions and planning are made early through this committee so that both countries are better prepared when it is implemented, “ he said.