RIYADH, Nov 6 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, expressed his appreciation to the Saudi Arabian government for the good treatment of Malaysian citizens working in the country across various sectors including oil and gas, services, and health.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Sultan Ibrahim made the remarks during a meeting with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, at the Al-Yamamah Palace here yesterday.
Mohamed Khaled, who is the accompanying minister for Sultan Ibrahim’s State Visit to Saudi Arabia, said the meeting went very well and was cordial, with His Majesty being received with a state welcome ceremony.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also informed about the presence of approximately 5,000 Malaysians in Saudi Arabia serving in various fields like the oil and gas industry, the service and health industries as doctors and nurses.
“All of them are satisfied, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for accepting Malaysians who are in this country,” he told Bernama.
Mohamed Khaled said His Majesty also extended his heartfelt congratulations to Saudi Arabia on its economic development plan until 2030.
“Saudi Arabia has been chosen as the host country for the World Trade Expo, and Malaysia gives its full support,” he said.
He said that generally, the State Visit and the meeting between Sultan Ibrahim and the Saudi Crown Prince reflect the close relationship between the two Islamic nations.
Sultan Ibrahim is currently on a four-day State Visit to Saudi Arabia which began last Monday, accompanied by Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj and Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj.
This is the first State Visit by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to Saudi Arabia since the last one undertaken by the late Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah in 1984.
According to a statement from Istana Negara, the State Visit reflects Malaysia and Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to strengthen bilateral relations, while expanding cooperation in various fields including economy, geopolitics, defence, and Islamic affairs.
Saudi Arabia is Malaysia’s 14th largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to RM44.74 billion (USD9.79 billion). — Bernama
