RIYADH, Nov 6 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, departed for Bahrain today after completing a four-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, the first by a Malaysian monarch in more than four decades.
The special aircraft carrying the sovereign left the Royal Terminal at King Khalid International Airport at 2.23pm local time (7.23pm Malaysian time).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin is accompanying the King on the visit to Bahrain.
At the airport to bid farewell to Sultan Ibrahim were the Riyadh Region Deputy Governor Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Riyadh Mayor Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, and Tourism Minister Ahmed Al Khateeb.
Also present were Malaysia’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Datuk Syed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman, and the Malaysian Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission Nik Ady Arman Nik Mohd Kamil.
The last time a Malaysian sovereign visited Saudi Arabia was during the reign of the late Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Musta’in Billah in 1984.
During the King's stay, Sultan Ibrahim was accorded a state welcoming ceremony at the Al-Yamamah Palace. His Majesty also visited the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and the headquarters of Arabian Oud in Riyadh.
Accompanying the King were Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj, and Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj.
Saudi Arabia is Malaysia's 14th largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to RM44.74 billion (US$9.79 billion).
