MALAYSIAN PM CONFERRED AWARD BY SAUDI KING ABDULLAH

From Muin Abdul Majid

RIYADH, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
was conferred the King Abdul Aziz Order of Merit (First Class), Saudi Arabia's
highest honour, by King Abdullah Abdulaziz Al-Saud here Saturday night.

The event took place at the Conference Palace where Najib had an audience
with
the Saudi king in conjunction with his official visit to Saudi Arabia.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude to His Majesty for the award.
I
consider this as a manifestation of the close relations enjoyed between Saudi
Arabia and Malaysia," Najib told reporters before departing for Abu Dhabi to
begin an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to him, it also signified vast potential for cooperation that
could
be forged between the two Islamic nations, not only for their common benefit but
also for the larger Muslim community.

Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor, was present at the award presentation
ceremony.

Others who had received the award in the past include President Barack Obama
of
the United States.

On what transpired during his talks with King Abdullah, Najib said he
thanked
the Saudi government for having given ample opportunities for Malaysian firms to
take part in Saudi Arabia's economic development.

"We also appreciate that some parties in Saudi Arabia are keen to invest in
Malaysia, like PetroSaudi International Ltd which has established a joint
venture with 1Malaysia Development Bhd," he said.

Najib said Malaysian entities with large funds could well consider venturing
out to Saudi Arabia and take part, for example, in the redevelopment of the holy
city of Mecca.

Besides construction, project management and information technology were
other
areas where Malaysian companies could excel, he said.

Najib mentioned that the conduct of Malaysian Haj pilgrims over the years
had
impressed King Abdullah.

"His Majesty feels that Malaysian pilgrims are the best lot of them all. He
said he couldn't recall ever coming across problems involving Malaysian
pilgrims," he said.

On King Abdullah's initiative for promoting inter-faith dialogue, Najib said
Malaysia too was keen on forging greater understanding among people of many
different faiths and beliefs.

Najib and the Saudi king also discussed developments in Afghanistan and
terrorism.

"There is a need for our two countries to seek greater cooperation to deal
with
the threat of terrorism in all its forms," Najib said, adding that a formal pact
on this may be on the cards.

Najib also held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal.

Meanwhile, Rosmah took the opportunity to visit the Al Faisal University in
the Saudi capital and spent some time at the King Faisal Foundation, said to be
one of the largest philanthropic foundations in the world.

-- BERNAMA