The recall is due to their failure to coordinate the administration and logistics of the PM’s visit

by FAYYADH JAAFAR / pic by TMR FILE

THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) confirms recalling the two officials who were involved in Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s visit to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), last month.

The recall was due to their failure to coordinate the administration and logistics of the PM’s visit as it should be based on the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for high-level visits abroad, especially during the PM’s arrival in Dubai on March 29.

This led to the PM and his delegation having to wait for a long time in the arrival hall because of passport clearance arrangements by Dubai Immigration.

That being said, the security coverage and control, as well as the motorcade movement for the PM, which are usually part of the SOPs, were not available.

“The two officials also failed to inform Wisma Putra about the World Government Summit (WGS) held in the Dubai Expo area. The top leadership of Wisma Putra only found out about WGS on the morning of March 30 through other sources.

“If the top leadership of the ministry had been informed in advance about the organisation of WGS, surely efforts would have been made for the PM to deliver a speech at the programme,” it said in a statement yesterday.

The WGS is an annual event organised by the Dubai government which brings together global leaders from government, business, academia, international organisations and NGOs to discuss the world’s most pressing issues.

Ismail Sabri paid a visit to Dubai on March 29 to March 31 in conjunction with the Dubai 2020 Expo.

During the visit, he attended the closing ceremony of the Malaysian Pavilion and the appreciation ceremony for the officers and staff of the Malaysian Pavilion at the Expo.

Ismail Sabri also attended the signing ceremonies of several memorandum of understanding between Malaysia and international companies, as well as WGS’ closing ceremony on March 30.

The PM also met with the Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Rashid Al Maktoum during the ceremony.

“This problem would not have occurred if adjustments were made earlier. This is because the UAE government has provided all facilities to the PM as the head of government until the end of the visit.

“Thus, during his departure ceremony, the UAE government arranged static guards of honour at Al Maktoum International Airport, represented by UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Omar Sultan Al Olama,” the ministry said.

Omar presented the UAE government’s invitation to Ismail Sabri to deliver the keynote address at WGS next year, to which he expressed his agreement to accept.

Wisma Putra said the recall of the two officials was not unusual and was made in consultation with the relevant parties, including the Public Service Department (PSD).

“It is taken to safeguard the importance of bilateral relations between Malaysia and the countries concerned, as well as to ensure the competence and importance of the civil service,” it added.