Meaningful results from Bahrain trip

PM pleased relations with Manama have been enhanced further

MANAMA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says his official visit to Bahrain has produced positive and meaningful results for Kuala Lumpur-Manama relations.

The Prime Minister told Malaysian media covering his visit here that the hospitality extended by the Gulf Arab state to him and his delegation was extraordinary.

This, he said, indicated Bahrain Ruler King Hamad Isa Al Khalifa’s wishes to forge closer ties, not only at the government-to-government level, but also on a personal basis.

The amicable ties between King Hamad and Najib were evident when the monarch personally welcomed Najib when he alighted from his car for an audience with the king at Shaikh Hamad Palace here on Friday.

The Bahrain ruler was also seen holding Najib’s arm when ushering him for a state dinner at the palace later after conferring the King Hamad (Al Nahda) First Medal, the country’s highest award, on the Prime Minister.

Najib also had the distinction of being the only foreign leader invited to attend Bahrain’s National Day celebrations at the Sakhir Palace on Saturday.

The conversation between Najib and King Hamad over tea at the end of the ceremony went far beyond the allocated time for the event.

This is Najib’s first official visit to this country while King Hamad made his inaugural state visit to Malaysia in April this year.

“Although Bahrain is a small country, after visiting the country, (I) realised that these ties have huge potential with Bahrain as one of the entry points to GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) market,” said Najib.

He said Malaysia and Bahrain could cooperate in Islamic finance by complementing each other against the backdrop of Kuala Lumpur being one of the world’s leading Islamic financial centres.

In this regard, Najib said Bank Negara would be asked to explore opportunities in this field.

He said Kuala Lumpur was also willing to cooperate with Manama in providing healthcare services and would ask Khazanah Nasional Bhd to discuss the matter with Bahrain officials.

Najib later left Manama and arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, yesterday for a three-day official visit to the country. His first visit is also to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. — Bernama