Bahrain King given state welcome at Parliament House

KUALA LUMPUR: The Ruler of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who is on a state visit to Malaysia from Sunday until May 3, was given a state welcome at the Parliament House here today.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V welcomed King Hamad, who is on his maiden visit to Malaysia since he ascended the throne on May 6, 1999.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and members of the Cabinet.
The ceremony began with the national anthem of both countries played by the Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) from the Sungai Besi Camp, followed by a 21-gun salute.
King Hamad then inspected a guard of honour comprising four officers and 33 personnel of the First RAMD Battalion led by Major Azlan Shan Baharom
King Hamad arrived at the Bunga Raya Complex at the KL International Airport in Sepang last night, and was welcomed by Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
The visit, at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V, is the first to be made by a Ruler of Bahrain since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1974.
This is part of his series of visits to Southeast Asian nations and he is scheduled to depart for Brunei after his visit to Malaysia.
King Hamad is also scheduled to be conferred the Honorary Maroon Beret and the Honorary Paratrooper Wings from the 10th Para Brigade.
King Hamad is sceduled to meet Najib at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya today and later attend a dinner hosted by Najib.
King Hamad and Najib are scheduled to witness the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MoU), including agreements on air services and defence collaborations. – Bernama