KUALA LUMPUR: The King of Saudi Arabia, King Salman bin Abdul Abdulaziz Al-Saud has ordered the 'King Salman Centre for Relief and Humanitarian Action' to quickly send assistance of medical equipment, and other necessary items to help Malaysia combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senior Minister of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the matter was conveyed to him when he was in contact with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Hishammuddin described the contribution as a great honour and it truly symbolises the sincerity of the Saudi Arabian government in forging relations with Malaysia.

"On behalf of the Malaysian government, we are grateful to the kind gesture of His Majesty King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the government of Saudi Arabia for their kind and deep concern, " he said in his Facebook post, today.

Hishammuddin said he would continue to work closely with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on the details of the latest forms of requirements that Malaysia needed, and ensure the order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques proceeded smoothly.

Saudi Press Agency reported King Salman had directed King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) to urgently provide Malaysia with medical, preventive equipment, and supplies to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aid includes providing 1,000,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, medical devices, care and treatment devices, preventive supplies, and other medical needs.

-- BERNAMA