KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has expressed confidence that Malaysia and Jordan will further strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education and other fields for the mutual benefit of their people.
In welcoming King Abdullah II of Jordan, who is on a two-day state visit to Malaysia beginning Sunday (Oct 11), Sultan Ibrahim said the longstanding friendship between the two countries was underpinned by shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to preserving their respective royal institutions and heritage.
Sultan Ibrahim noted that both royal houses shared a rich heritage, with the Jordanian royal family tracing its lineage to Prophet Muhammad, while the Johor Sultanate had played a significant role in shaping Malay customs and traditions rooted in Islamic values.
"Although rooted in different historical and cultural backgrounds, our two royal houses share a common legacy of preserving our heritage, upholding our respective institutions and serving our people across generations," His Majesty said after an investiture ceremony at Istana Negara here Monday (Oct 12).
Sultan Ibrahim also highlighted the personal bond between the two monarchs, forged through their respective military training experiences, which he said added a special dimension to their friendship.
On economic cooperation, Sultan Ibrahim welcomed the continued growth of bilateral trade, with palm oil and halal products contributing to the expanding relationship.
His Majesty said Malaysia's established halal ecosystem offered opportunities to complement Jordan's strategic location, while Malaysia's strategic position and expanding industrial base also presented prospects for Jordanian investment.
Sultan Ibrahim expressed hope that stronger business-to-business ties would further enhance economic cooperation and deliver tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
On education, His Majesty welcomed the continued progress in cooperation, including Malaysian and Jordanian students pursuing their studies in each other's countries.
The Malaysian King also welcomed opportunities for Jordanian officials to benefit from training and knowledge-sharing initiatives under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
Sultan Ibrahim said such efforts could further strengthen educational ties and develop the skills and expertise of the younger generation and public officials.
On regional developments, His Majesty expressed concern over the continuing conflict in the Middle East, which had also threatened Jordan's security.
The King noted that Malaysia continued to call on all parties to avoid further escalation and work towards an immediate end to the fighting across the region.
On Palestine, Sultan Ibrahim said Malaysia valued Jordan's role in safeguarding the holy sites in Jerusalem and appreciated its continued support for the Palestinian people, describing it as a cause close to the hearts of both countries.
His Majesty also expressed confidence that King Abdullah II's visit would mark another significant milestone in efforts to build a stronger and forward-looking partnership for the benefit of future generations. - Bernama
