From Mohd Ashraf Syafiq Mazlan
RIYADH, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, arrived here today for a four-day state visit to Saudi Arabia to further strengthen bilateral relations, and to expand cooperation for the interest and benefit of the people and the two nations.
The special aircraft carrying His Majesty departed from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang Air Base today and arrived at the Royal Terminal, King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh at 12.30 pm (5.30 pm Malaysian time).
This marks the first state visit by a Malaysian King to Saudi Arabia since the late Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Abu Bakar Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mu’adzam Shah’s visit in 1984.
Accompanying His Majesty on the visit is Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
His Majesty's sons - Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj and Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj - who arrived at the same airport in a separate aircraft at about 11.30 am, are also accompanying Sultan Ibrahim on the visit.
Sultan Ibrahim was received at the airport by the Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf and the Minister of Tourism of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al Khateeb.
Also present were Malaysian Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zain, Grand Chamberlain of Istana Negara Datuk Azuan Effendy Zairakithnaini and Malaysia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Datuk Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman.
His Majesty then walked past a guard-of-honour, before being greeted by dignitaries from both Malaysia and Saudi Arabia and departed for his hotel in Riyadh.
At the hotel, His Majesty was greeted by the home-based staff of the Embassy of Malaysia and their family members, comprising 45 in total.
During the visit to Saudi Arabia, His Majesty is scheduled to hold a four-eye meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, at Al-Yamamah Palace.
Istana Negara, in a statement, said this state visit reflected the continued commitment of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia to further strengthen bilateral relations, and to expand cooperation in areas including the economy, geopolitics, defence and Islamic affairs.
Istana Negara said that during the first 10 months of this year, there had been a total of 12 high-profile visits between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is Malaysia’s 14th largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to RM44.74 billion (US$9.79 billion).
Beyond economic ties, close relations are also evident in matters relating to Haj and Umrah, with His Majesty expected to convey appreciation to the Saudi government for its hospitality and special arrangements for Malaysian pilgrims each year.
This is the fifth state visit conducted by Sultan Ibrahim after Singapore, China, Brunei and Russia.
Upon completion of the Saudi leg of the visit, Sultan Ibrahim will depart for Bahrain on Nov 6 at the invitation of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa - marking the first state visit to the country since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Bahrain in 1974.
-- BERNAMA
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