KUALA LUMPUR: The state visit by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, to Russia from Aug 5-10 marks a new chapter in Malaysia-Russia bilateral ties.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the state visit was expected to strengthen strategic cooperation across various sectors, including bilateral trade, investment, higher education, technology and innovation, as well as people-to-people relations.
“Malaysia is well-positioned to attract new investments and technologies from Russia, particularly in the energy, aerospace, defence and smart agriculture sectors.
“This is in line with the Madani Economy framework, which prioritises competitiveness, sustainability and shared prosperity.
“More significantly, the state visit underscores the role of the royal institution of Malaysia as a respected driver of national diplomacy on the global stage.
“It also reinforces Malaysia’s sovereignty and strengthens its image as a neutral, open and progressive nation,” he said in a post on his Facebook page.
Anwar said the visit was historic and significant, marking Sultan Ibrahim as the first Malaysian head of state undertaking a state visit to Russia since diplomatic relations were established in April 1967.
He said it reflected the position of His Majesty as a symbol of national unity, who also plays a strategic role in strengthening Malaysia’s international relations.
Yesterday, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Russia, Datuk Cheong Loon Lai, said that His Majesty’s state visit, at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was a recognition of the five decades of diplomatic ties between Russia and Malaysia, which was among the earliest Asean countries to establish ties with the then-Soviet Union.
Sultan Ibrahim is scheduled to arrive in Moscow on Tuesday and will be accorded a state welcome ceremony at the Kremlin on Wednesday, before holding an official meeting with the Russian president and attending a state banquet.
His Majesty is also scheduled to visit the Russian Automotive Technology Development Company (NAMI), as well as the Tochka Kipeniya Technology and Innovation Hub.
On Friday, Sultan Ibrahim will travel to Kazan, the fifth largest city in Russia, to receive an audience from the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, at the Kazan Kremlin.
His Majesty is also scheduled to attend a reception ceremony hosted by Minnikhanov and visit the Kazan Helicopter Plant to observe the manufacturing operations of civilian, defence and rescue helicopters.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
