RIYADH – In the spirit of strengthening bilateral ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife, Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, were greeted by the kingdom’s crown prince upon their arrival here yesterday.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman was at King Khalid International Airport to welcome Muhyiddin at 8.25pm local time (1.25am today Malaysian time).
Receiving the prime minister at the airport was not in the royal’s original itinerary.
Muhyiddin is on the third day of his four-day official visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of King Salman.
The visit is aimed at boosting cooperation in traditional areas and forging partnerships in new ones, such as technology, innovation and energy collaboration.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was present to welcome Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin flew in from Medina after visiting the tomb of Prophet Muhammad and Nabawi Mosque.
The prime minister, who arrived in the kingdom on Saturday, landed in Mecca, where he performed the umrah and was accorded the privilege of entering the Kaabah.
He is scheduled to meet King Salman virtually from Al-Yamamah Palace here today.
Hishammuddin earlier said the 85-year-old king has not held face-to-face meetings with foreign leaders since the Covid-19 pandemic began.
“Therefore, having a virtual meeting is already considered extraordinary.” – Bernama, March 9, 2021
