KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will be undertaking a four-day official visit to Saudi Arabia from 6 to 9 March, followed by an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 9 to 11 March.
Details provided by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said that this would be Muhyiddin's first official visit to the two countries since assuming office on March 1, 2020.
The visit to Saudi Arabia is on the invitation extended in April 2020 by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
"Muhyiddin has the honour of being the first foreign head of government to be invited by King Salman following the historic Al Ula Conference on Jan 5, 2021," said Wisma Putra in a statement on Friday.
The prime minister's official programme will take place at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on March 9, which includes an official welcoming ceremony, virtual audience with King Salman, and meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
The visit will not only provide an opportunity for both sides to strengthen traditional areas of cooperation, but also forge greater partnership in new areas, such as new technology and innovation, as well as energy collaboration.
The ongoing reorientation of the Saudi economy, driven by the Kingdom's Vision 2030, has significantly expanded the scope of opportunities for Malaysia-Saudi cooperation.
During the visit, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia are expected to discuss efforts to further strengthen the existing bilateral ties and explore new areas of cooperation with the view of elevating the partnership, including the establishment of a High Level Strategic Committee (HLSC) at the foreign ministers' level.
Both countries will also discuss a proposal for the establishment of the Malaysia-Saudi Tech Innovation Centre which will provide a platform to encourage collaboration in the development of smart cities, artificial intelligence, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).
The other proposals include the formalisation of 'Mecca Road Service' initiative which will ease and simplify the pre-clearance process for Malaysian hajj and umrah pilgrims, such as airport arrangements, visa and passport checking, customs procedures, and other logistical arrangements.
The official hajj quota as well as hajj and umrah procedures for Malaysian pilgrims are also expected to be discussed during the visit.
The visit will also provide Malaysia the opportunity to explore new markets for palm oil exports to Saudi Arabia as well as Middle East and African regions and also strengthen cooperation in the halal industry.
Wisma Putra noted that Muhyiddin will also perform the umrah in Makkah, followed by ziarah in Madinah from March 6 to 8 on the invitation of King Salman.
Meanwhile, on Muhyiddin's official visit to UAE, the statement said both sides will discuss several proposals to further strengthen the existing bilateral ties and explore new areas of cooperation with the view of elevating the partnership to greater heights.
These include collaboration in the post-pandemic recovery phase through technology, innovation, and economic partnership.
Both countries will also discuss the proposal of the establishment of an International Food Security Coalition (IFSC) with the primary objective of building greater resilience and robustness in the global food supply chains.
The proposal to establish the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia (ISIS) to promote greater understanding and contact between the two countries while promoting the ideals of good governance, environmental responsibility and interfaith tolerance will also be discussed.
Muhyiddin's official programme in UAE will take place in Abu Dhabi and Dubai on March 10, which includes meetings with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Throughout the visit, Wisma Putra pointed out the Malaysian delegation will be subjected to strict COVID-19 preventative standard operating procedures (SOPs) as agreed upon by health authorities of Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and UAE.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Mar 05 2021
This would be Muhyiddin's first official visit to the two countries since assuming office on March 1, 2020.
Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah
Pelan Transformasi Air sasar tingkatkan air bersih, tingkatkan liputan sistem kumbahan - Fadillah
Warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah seleweng diesel
Seorang warga Thailand mengaku tidak bersalah di Mahkamah Sesyen Alor Setar atas pertuduhan menyeleweng 322 liter minyak diesel.
Lilitan reben putih tak langgar peraturan - Timbalan Speaker
Ramli berkata, perkara itu juga adalah merupakan keputusannya dan bukan dibuat oleh Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Kos pampasan tanah fasa 1B proses projek LPB Sabah RM1.2 bilion - Alexander
Anggaran kos pengambilan balik tanah bagi keseluruhan Fasa 1B proses pengambilan tanah dan penilaian pampasan tanah bagi Projek Lebuh Raya Pan Borneo Sabah (LPB Sabah) berjumlah RM1.2 bilion.
KR sedia tambah baik SOP pembinaan lebuhraya
Alaxender berkata kementerian bersedia untuk mendedahkan laporan kajian insiden jika ia melibatkan kemalangan berskala besar dan meragut nyawa.
Reman suspek kes keropok beracun disambung dua hari
Tempoh reman terhadap seorang pemilik kebun disambung selama dua hari, bagi membantu siasatan kematian dua kanak-kanak yang meninggal dunia akibat makan keropok beracun.
KPM alukan pesara guru ajar Bahasa Inggeris
Jelas Fadhlina Sidek pesara-pesara guru telah banyak membantu usaha KPM dalam meningkatkan PdP bahasa Inggeris termasuk melalui Program Highly Immersive Programme Mentor (HIP Mentor).
Tidak perlu lagi kemas kini status COVID-19 dalam MySejahtera - KKM
Jika positif COVID-19 melalui ujian kendiri, pesakit boleh mengunjungi klinik dan hospital berdekatan bagi mendapatkan pengesahan.
Mayat hampir reput dijumpai di rumah usang
Mayat hampir reput ditemui di sebuah rumah usang di Kesang Laut, berdekatan pusat timbang Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ) pada Ahad.
Wanita dakwa dituduh Rafizi fail saman
Seorang wanita memfailkan saman terhadap Menteri Ekonomi, Rafizi Ramli bagi menuntut permohonan maaf secara terbuka berhubung dakwaan bahawa wanita berkenaan ialah isteri kepada bekas menteri yang dikaitkan dengan isu kapal tempur pesisir (LCS).
Bagaimanapun, Rafizi bergantung kepada pembelaan justifikasi berkata bersedia membuktikan kenyataan di mahkamah termasuk perlindungan bersyarat dan ulasan yang saksama terhadap saman fitnah yang difailkan oleh Zainab Mohd Salleh.
Bagaimanapun, Rafizi bergantung kepada pembelaan justifikasi berkata bersedia membuktikan kenyataan di mahkamah termasuk perlindungan bersyarat dan ulasan yang saksama terhadap saman fitnah yang difailkan oleh Zainab Mohd Salleh.
Right to Hire, No Right to Fire
The right to fire a Prime Minister by Members of Parliament can actually present itself via the YDP Agong, says Azalina Othman.
Bills to televise court proceedings tabled for first reading
Subsection 69 (1) of the Act was also proposed to be amended to allow receiving statements via remote communication technology.
Beware of the Fitch rating that can hurl Malaysia into a ditch
Credit rating agencies cannot be trusted, as the key navigator to steer the macro or micro economy of Malaysia, says Dr Rais.
COVID-19: RM4.5 billion fund to help small, medium enterprises and micro entrepreneurs
Prime Minister said the allocation would be channelled through five key initiatives.
Self-service laundrettes not allowed to operate
The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) said the ban is to prevent the crowd from gathering.
Kimanis Memilih: It's actually a battle between Bung Moktar and Shafie Apdal
Both of them are now seen as -two godfathers of Sabah- who are in a marathon of winning the Sabahans hearts.
Britain should break with Europe on palm oil
A fresh attitude toward palm oil, unencumbered by influential special-interest groups, could lead to even better trade terms between the U.K. and the region than it currently enjoys.
The Nintendo of Islamophobia
The late Edward Said, author of the "Orientalism-, in reaction to Gulf War I, once averred that the CNN footage of the war in Iraq amounted to a "Nintendo Game".
PM Mahathir confers lifetime achievement award at Petronas SIC-MAM Awards
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions and undying support towards national motorsports industry.
Malaysia propose to Singapore for both to cease from sending assets in boundary issue
Malaysia has proposed to Singapore for both countries to cease and desist from sending assets into the disputed area of Tuas, effective 0000 hours on Dec 8.