Malaysian king to pay state visit

Malaysian king to pay state visit

JAKARTA (JP): Malaysian King Ja'afar Abdul Rahman will arrive
here tomorrow for a five-day state visit, Minister/State
Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday.

He is scheduled to hold talks with President Soeharto and
visit Central Java and Bali.

"This visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations
between Malaysia and Indonesia," Moerdiono said.

The king and President Soeharto, however, will not touch
substantial issues during their talks, Moerdiono said.

"His Royal Highness is also expected to receive a honorary
doctorate degree from Diponegoro University in Semarang," the
minister said.

The state-run university will present the honorary degree
Saturday, in recognition for his outstanding role in boosting
cooperation between Malaysian and Indonesian universities,
according to Rector Muladi last week.

The king is scheduled to present a scientific oration titled
"The efforts to improve cooperation between Indonesia and
Malaysia".

"Given his background and contribution to forging ties between
Indonesia and Malaysia, we feel it is necessary to award such a
degree," said Muladi, adding that several ambassadors and
ministers from some ASEAN countries will also attend the
presentation.

The Malaysian king is revered as a person with esteemed
academic credentials as he studied at Nottingham University,
Oxford University and the London School of Economics.

The king will be accompanied by his wife Queen Najihah Binti
Al-Marhum Tunku Besar Burhanuddin and they will stay at the State
Guest House.

State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar
Kartasasmita will brief the king Friday on Indonesia's
development progress.

"The king will also visit Saturday the grave of the late first
lady Ibu Tien Soeharto in Surakarta," Moerdiono said.

The king will leave for Surabaya Saturday where he will spend
one night before departing for Bali. He will leave for Kuala
Lumpur Tuesday. (prb/har/09)