KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 — Malaysia wished “Selamat Datang” or “Welcome” in Malay to United States President Barack Obama as it rolled out the red carpet at an official welcoming ceremony for the American leader here Saturday.
Obama had earlier flown into Kuala Lumpur to begin a three-day state visit to this Southeast Asian nation of 30 million people.
He was joined at the event at the hill-top Parliament Building in the Malaysian capital by the Malaysian king, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
After the national anthems of both countries were played, Obama inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by 107 officers and men from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Amriza Mohd Asshari.
The visit to Malaysia, part of Obama’s four-nation tour of Asia, is a first by a sitting US president in 48 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson’s trip in 1966.
Obama had visited Japan and South Korea. The final leg of his Asian trip is the Philippines.
The ceremony at the Parliament Square was also marked by a 21-gun salute.
Cabinet ministers were later introduced to the visiting president during the occasion which was also attended by members of the diplomatic corps.
Obama will head to Malaysia’s federal administrative capital Putrajaya on Sunday for talks with Najib before going to nearby Cyberjaya for the launch of the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creative Centre (MaGIC) which will provide a platform for entrepreneurs to expand their wings.
Other highlights of Obama’s visit is his town hall session with youth leaders from across Southeast Asia and a visit to the National Mosque.
— BERNAMA
