Saudi Arabia's King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud's visit to Malaysia reaffirms a partnership and brotherhood built on mutual trust and respect, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said today.

He said this could provide an example for the Muslim world and beyond, for the benefit of the peoples and regions involved, as well as the world.

"We are also proud that Saudi Arabia and Malaysia have cooperated so strongly to maintain the well-being of, and provide leadership for, the ummah," he said.

Najib alluded to both countries' strong mutual commitment to fight extremism founded on their strong belief in the tolerant, moderate and peaceful nature of authentic Islam.

The prime minister said this in a statement ahead of the four-day state visit by the Saudi monarch, from Sunday, at the invitation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XV Sultan Muhammad V.

Najib said Kuala Lumpur was honoured that King Salman had chosen Malaysia for his first visit to an Islamic country in the region, as well as the first to Southeast Asia, since ascending the throne.

Najib said a number of new agreements and memoranda of understanding would be signed during the visit - one of them involves Saudi Aramco and Malaysia's Petronas.

The prime minister also noted that the two countries were bounded together by strong trading links and ever increasing people-to-people exchanges.

2016 bilateral trade hiked by 20pct

He said bilateral trade had been on a strong upwards trajectory in recent years, increasing by 20 percent in 2016 alone, to a total of RM13.12 billion.

"Today, Saudi Arabia is one of Malaysia's largest trading partners," he said, adding that Saudi Arabia's investment in Malaysia was expected to create thousands of jobs.

Najib also spoke about Malaysia's pride when its firms had been chosen to undertake projects at some of the most prestigious locations in Saudi Arabia.

This, he said, included operating and maintaining the Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah Metro Southern Line in Makkah, a shuttle train exclusively for pilgrims, and working on the Jamarat Bridge and surrounding area in Mina.

"It is also a matter of pride for us that a Malaysian was part of the team that designed the magnificent Makkah Royal Hotel Clock Tower that faces the Masjid al-Haram," said the prime minister.

He said the warmth between the two countries was reflected by the fact that Malaysia welcomed more than 100,000 visitors from Saudi Arabia last year, a record high, while students from Malaysia and Saudi Arabia benefit from studying in each other’s countries.

Najib also noted that spiritual ties between the two countries dated back centuries.

"For Muslim Malaysians, Saudi Arabia as the land of the Two Holy Mosques is the holiest of places and performing the haj is both a sacred duty and the highlight of a lifetime," he added.

- Bernama