THE Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V has strong diplomatic skills that are crucial in maintaining Malaysia’s cordial ties with the countries around the world.
His Majesty graduated in diplomatic studies and Islamic studies at St Cross College, Oxford, and Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies in Britain. He also studied diplomatic relations and business administration at Huron University College in London, besides taking a diplomatic relations course at the Deutsche Stiftung Internationale Entwicklung in Berlin and European business administration at the European Business School in London.
Sultan Muhammad V’s diplomatic skills were put to good use when he hosted the visit by the King of Bahrain King Hamad Isa Al-Khalifa to Malaysia in May. The official state visit was held to mark the 42 years of diplomatic ties between both nations.
Both rulers met several times and held discussions that led to the announcement that Bahrain will set up an embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
A Malaysia-Bahrain joint commission co-chaired by the two countries’ foreign ministers will also be set up to serve as an umbrella framework for bilateral cooperation.
Bahrain’s foreign minister Sheikh Khalid Ahmed Al Khalifa said King Hamad was pleased with his visit to Malaysia and the hospitality accorded to him and his entourage.
He said the decision to set up the Bahrain embassy was reflective of his country’s seriousness in fostering a closer and stronger relationship with Malaysia.
Among other things that were discussed during King Hamad’s visit was that both countries will review the immigration requirements to encourage unrestricted travel between Malaysia and Bahrain.
Sheikh Khalid Ahmad added that the embassy here would handle matters such as investments, student exchange, as well as commerce and industry. He said the King of Bahrain’s meeting with Sultan Muhammad V was a milestone that would see more cooperation between both countries.
The two nations also agreed to encourage their investors to foster closer trade ties, to leverage Bahrain’s position as a “Gateway to the Gulf” and a hub of Islamic finance, and to tap into the potential of Malaysia’s position in the heart of the Asean Economic Community.
Sultan Muhammad V is also a strong promoter of the muhibbah spirit that has been in existence in Kelantan for centuries.
He noted that a Kelantanese is known as a Kelantanese and his subjects are rarely identified as a “Kelantan Chinese”, “Kelantan Malay” or “Kelantan Indian”.
An example is Gendang Besar D’Raja Kelantan, a traditional musical ensemble whose members include a Kelantan Chinese man – Yap Chong Sing. Yap, 63, is known locally as Pok Cheng.
Many think Pok Cheng is a Malay man, but they are taken aback that he is Chinese, and was specially selected to play the serunai or fife during the installation of Sultan Muhammad V as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on April 24 at Istana Negara.
The 150-year-old Gendang Besar D’Raja Kelantan troupe is an important institution with the Kelantan royal family. It plays traditional music to mark the Sultan’s presence at key royal functions.
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