RIYADH – The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, continued his state visit to Saudi Arabia on 5 November 2025 with official engagements at the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and the headquarters of fragrance giant Arabian Oud.
At SAMI, His Majesty was received by Chief Executive Officer Thamer Al-Muhid, who provided a detailed briefing on the company’s operations and ongoing projects.
Established in 2017 under the Saudi Public Investment Fund, SAMI plays a central role in advancing the Kingdom’s defence sector. Its mandate includes supporting the localisation of 50 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s defence expenditure by 2030, a key pillar of the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy.
The King was shown the latest innovations in aerospace, land, naval, and defence systems, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s ambition to strengthen self-reliance in military technology.
According to reports, Malaysia is also keen to learn from Saudi Arabia’s model of defence industry development, with Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin noting that the visit provided valuable insights into approaches that could enhance Malaysia’s own defence capabilities.
Following the defence industry tour, Sultan Ibrahim visited the headquarters of Arabian Oud, one of the world’s largest fragrance companies with a presence in more than 150 cities globally. The King observed the intricate process of producing premium oud-based perfumes, a craft deeply rooted in Middle Eastern tradition.
His Majesty was warmly welcomed by Arabian Oud CEO Omar Abdulaziz Al-Jasser, with the departure ceremony accompanied by traditional Saudi singing. To commemorate the occasion, Sultan Ibrahim was presented with a collection of exclusive fragrances specially created in his honour.
The royal entourage included YAM Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Temenggong Johor, and YAM Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, Tunku Panglima Johor.
Senior Malaysian officials also attended, among them Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Dato’ Sri Amran Mohamed Zin, and Malaysian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dato’ Syed Mohamed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman.
The visits underscored the strengthening of bilateral ties between Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, spanning both strategic defence cooperation and cultural exchange.
Analysts note that Malaysia’s engagement with SAMI reflects its broader ambition to reduce reliance on foreign defence imports, while the Arabian Oud visit highlighted the cultural diplomacy aspect of the state visit.
As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 goals, Malaysia’s participation in such exchanges signals a commitment to deepening collaboration in both high-technology industries and cultural partnerships.
