HIS Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, undertook a special visit to the Smolny Complex, one of St Petersburg’s most historic landmarks, yesterday.
According to a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s official Facebook page, His Majesty was warmly received upon arrival by the Governor of St Petersburg, Alexander Beglov.
Also present at the reception was Evgeny Dmitrievich Grigoriev, chairman of the St Petersburg Committee for External Relations.
During the visit, Sultan Ibrahim toured the Smolny Bunker, an underground shelter beneath the complex that was constructed in 1937, accompanied by Governor Beglov.
Following the tour, His Majesty attended a banquet hosted by Beglov, where the Malaysian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Datuk Cheong Loon Lai, was also in attendance.
At the banquet, Sultan Ibrahim was presented with a video showcasing the city of St Petersburg.
Governor Beglov delivered a brief presentation highlighting the city’s unique characteristics, noting it is not only a popular international tourist destination but also a city remarkable for its nearly 800 bridges, 94 rivers, and approximately 200 museums.
His Majesty’s visit to St Petersburg was conducted at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. - January 26, 2026
