Malaysian Ambassador to Japan Datuk Ahmad Izlan Idris
By Kamarul Ariffin Md Yassin
TOKYO, Nov 4 (Bernama) – Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be conferred ”The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers” by the Emperor of Japan during his three-day working visit to the “Land of the Rising Sun” beginning Monday (Nov 5).
Malaysian Ambassador to Japan Datuk Ahmad Izlan Idris said the conferment of Japan’s highest award by Emperor Akihito which will take place at the Imperial Palace here Tuesday follows the huge contributions by the Prime Minister in strengthening bilateral ties.
“Traditionally this award is given to foreign leaders like prime ministers and statesmen from within and outside Japan,” he told Malaysian journalists here on Sunday.
Dr Mahathir is the third leader from Asia to be conferred the prestigious award after former Singapore prime Minister the late Lee Kuan Yew and former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh.
“The Prime Minister and wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali are also scheduled to attend a luncheon with the Emperor and Empress of Japan on Wednesday at the Imperial Palace,” he said.
