Closer KL-Riyadh Cooperation Soon To Fight Terrorism, Deviant Teachings - Malaysia's Minister

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- Cooperation between Kuala Lumpur and Riyadh is to be intensified to curb religious deviance that promotes terrorism and wrong teachings, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom. He said this collaboration would be realised through a memorandum of understanding to be signed by Malaysia and Saudi Arabia soon. This was one of the main issues discussed at a meeting between Jamil Khir and the Saudi Arabian Minister for Islamic Religious Affairs, Sheikh Saleh bin Abdul-Aziz Al Ash-Sheikh, here Tuesday. Sheikh Saleh is a member of the entourage of Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud who is on a four-day state visit to Malaysia from Sunday. "Riyadh will prepare the MOU for collaboration in religious matters," Jamil Khir said. "This is because there are now many threats relating to misuse of religion, such as Daesh and deviant teachings. "Therefore, we have to foster ties between the two countries to combat any threat which can undermine the wellbeing of the ummah," he said to reporters after leading local muftis in a meeting with King Salman here. -- BERNAMA