President of Kazakhstan two-day visit

His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong graced the welcoming ceremony in conjunction with the President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev two-day visit to Malaysia. The President who arrived in Malaysia was accorded a State Welcome at Parliament Square yesterday. Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were on hand to receive Nazarbayev who arrived at 9am. Also present in the ceremony were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and cabinet ministers.

The national anthems of both countries were then played by the Royal Malay Regiment band followed by the firing of a 14-gun salute. Nazarbayev and delegation were then introduced to the cabinet ministers and members of foreign diplomatic service attending the event. This is Nazarbayev third visit to Malaysia in 16 years, reflecting the strong ties between Malaysia and Kazakhstan. He visited the country in 1996 and 2006.

At night, the Yang di- Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah hosted a state banquet in honour of visiting Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev at Istana Negara in Jalan Duta here. Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as well as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

picture from Bernama