Sultan Ibrahim departs for first Malaysian royal visit to Saudi Arabia since 1984, will also visit Bahrain to strengthen bilateral ties
Subang: The King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, departed this morning for Saudi Arabia on a state visit lasting until 6 November.
The visit represents Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries for the benefit of the people and the country.
Following the Saudi Arabia leg, His Majesty will visit Bahrain on 6 November for another state visit.
Today’s departure marks a historic occasion as the first state visit by a Malaysian monarch to Saudi Arabia since the visit of the late Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah in 1984.
The special plane carrying His Majesty took off from the Royal Malaysian Air Force base here at 9 am.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof attended the departure ceremony to bid farewell to Sultan Ibrahim.
Several ministers and senior government officials were also present to see off the king.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Hassan and Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil attended the farewell ceremony along with other dignitaries.
Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mohd Naim Mokhtar.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefli Ahmad and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing completed the ministerial delegation present.
Also present were senior government officials, including Chief Secretary Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Dewan Rakyat President Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Attorney General Tan Sri Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar and armed forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaafar attended the farewell ceremony.
Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz completed the list of senior officials present.
Before departure Her Majesty received a Royal Salute from the Guard-of-Honour.
The 1st Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment provided the honor guard consisting of four officers and 103 other ranks.
Major Muhammad Fikri Senan led the honor guard during the ceremony.
During the farewell proceedings, a 21-gun salute was given along with the national anthem Negaraku.
His Majesty will hold a four-day meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
The king’s sons accompany him on this important diplomatic mission.
Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj joined his father on the trip.
Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj completed the royal delegation.
Defense Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Nordin serves as Minister in Presence during state visits.
The Bahrain leg is the first state visit between Malaysia and Bahrain since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974.
King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa invited Sultan Ibrahim to visit Bahrain.
There has been a long-term friendship between the two kings for many years.
His Majesty previously visited Bahrain in 2017 during his tenure as Sultan of Johor.
King Hamad last year attended the installation ceremony of Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong. – nominated
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