SINGAPORE (ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES) – Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, the King of Malaysia, was warmly greeted with ceremonial honours at the Istana as he commenced his two-day official visit to Singapore on Monday (May 6).
Accompanied by his wife, Raja Zarith Sofiah, the royal couple arrived at 10.45 am and were welcomed by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his spouse Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam.
Among the dignitaries accompanying the Sultan were Malaysian Minister of Transport Anthony Loke, Malaysian High Commissioner to Singapore Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, and other esteemed officials.
After the welcome ceremony, the King had a meeting with Cabinet ministers, who included Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli.
This marks Sultan Ibrahim’s first overseas state visit since he was sworn in as Malaysia’s 17th King – or Yang di-Pertuan Agong – on January 31. It is also one of the last major visits before Singapore’s leadership transition on May 15, when PM Lee will hand over to Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
DPM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, is expected to call on the King on Tuesday and host him for breakfast. The King will then be hosted by Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng on a visit to Parliament House, where he will observe parliamentary proceedings.
On May 7, the King is also scheduled to visit the Thomson-East Coast Line and to inspect the progress of the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link at Woodlands North terminus.
Sultan Ibrahim’s state visit comes ahead of the centennial of the Causeway – which was officially opened on June 28, 1924 – between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
