KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, will embark on a state visit to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain beginning Monday (Nov 3).
In a statement on Sunday (Nov 2), Istana Negara said the visit to Saudi Arabia marks a new chapter in the 68-year bilateral relationship between the two countries.
The visit will also be the first state visit to the kingdom by a Malaysian King since the late Sultan Ahmad Shah’s visit in 1984.
The statement added that in Riyadh, His Majesty is scheduled to hold a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud at the Yamamah Palace.
Sultan Ibrahim said his visits to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s bilateral relations with foreign nations.
“During my state visits to Singapore, Brunei, China and Russia, I have always emphasised the importance of cooperation and strong friendship that bring mutual benefits to our people and our nation.
“Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are two countries very close to my heart and hold important strategic relations.
“I urge all Malaysians to pray for the success of this visit, for the long-term benefit of our beloved nation,” His Majesty said.
Accompany him are Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, and Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin will also accompany His Majesty as the accompanying minister.
The visit is a commitment from both nations to continue their cooperation in various fields, including the economy, geopolitics, defence and Islamic affairs.
For the first 10 months of the year, 12 high-level exchanges have taken place between the two countries.
Saudi Arabia is also Malaysia’s 14th largest trading partner, with total trade valued at RM44.74bil (US$9.79bil).
Sultan Ibrahim is also expected to convey Malaysia’s appreciation to the Saudi government for its hospitality and special arrangements made annually for Malaysian pilgrims.
“After completing the Saudi leg of the trip, His Majesty will head to Bahrain on Nov 6 at the invitation of King Hamad Isa Al-Khalifa.
“It will be the first state visit to Bahrain since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1974,” the statement said.
His Majesty and King Hamad share a long-standing friendship, where His Majesty made an official visit to Bahrain in 2017 while serving as the Sultan of Johor, while King Hamad attended Sultan Ibrahim’s installation as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia and Bahrain also cooperate in various sectors, with total trade recorded at RM1.19bil (US$0.26bil) last year.
