Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman suddenly postpones Malaysia and Indonesia visits

No reasons given for last minute postponement of visits, during which prince was expected to sign several agreements

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Workers hang pictures of Pakistan President Arif Ali, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on the eve of the prince’s visit to Islamabad, Pakistan on February 15, 2019. Photo: EPA

Published: 12:46pm, 16 Feb 2019Updated: 10:43pm, 16 Feb 2019

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has delayed his arrival in Pakistan and postponed trips to Indonesia and Malaysia, the foreign ministries for both Southeast Asian countries confirmed on Saturday. He was due to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday and Jakarta on Monday.

No new dates have been set and no reasons given for the postponement of the trips, during which he was expected to sign several agreements. Saudi Arabia and Indonesia will continue to communicate on a new schedule for a visit and better outcome, the ministry in Jakarta said on its website.

Mohammed bin Salman watching a gazelle foal run at the launch of projects for a resort and a nature reserve at al-Ula. Photo: Bandar al-Jaloud/Saudi Royal Palace/AFP

The prince – the kingdom’s de facto ruler – is also scheduled to visit China, India and Pakistan as part of an Asian tour where he is expected to sign a slew of bilateral investment agreements.

Pakistani officials said on Saturday the prince’s visit had been delayed by a day, another sudden announcement that surprised many Pakistanis, who were preparing to welcome the Saudi delegation amid extraordinary security in the capital.

Without giving any explanation for the delay, the government said Prince Mohammed will now arrive in Islamabad for a two-day visit on Sunday and that his programme has not changed.

It will be the crown prince’s first visit to Pakistan since he was appointed heir to the throne in 2017.