Relations between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia transcend beyond traditional diplomacy, thanks to the rapport between UAE president Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al Nahyan and Yang-di Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Their Majesties have cultivated a bond since their military training days at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in the United Kingdom during the late 1970s.

Both were college mates in 1978 and 1979 and the close friendship between them has remained ever since. This was evident from the official visit of the UAE president to Malaysia at...