Malaysian King Departs for State Visit to Saudi Arabia

SUBANG, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, left for Saudi Arabia this morning for a state visit from today until Nov 6 as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Malaysia's bilateral relations with various other countries for the interest and benefit of the people and the nation.

On Nov 6, His Majesty is scheduled to leave for Bahrain, also for a state visit.

Today's visit is historic, as it 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.

The special plane carrying His Majesty departed from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (TUDM) base here at 9 am.

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof was present to bid farewell to Sultan Ibrahim.

Before departing, His Majesty received a Royal Salute from a 107-member guard-of-honour, accompanied by a 21-gun salute and the national anthem, Negaraku.

While in Riyadh, 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.

Accompanying the King on the visit are his sons - Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj, and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj - along with Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who will serve as Minister-In-Attendance.

Upon completion of the Saudi leg of the visit, Sultan Ibrahim will depart for Bahrain at the invitation of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa - marking the first state visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Bahrain in 1974.

Sultan Ibrahim and King Hamad share a long-standing friendship. His Majesty visited Bahrain in 2017 as Sultan of Johor, while King Hamad attended Sultan Ibrahim’s installation ceremony as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong last year.

-- BERNAMA