King honours Susilo with nation’s highest award

KUALA LUMPUR: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, who arrived here yesterday for a three-day working visit, was bestowed Malaysia's highest award – the Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara (DMN).

The award was presented to Susilo by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, at a ceremony at the Istana Negara here.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah; Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and several other Cabinet ministers were present at the ceremony.

High honour: Tuanku Mizan congratulating Susilo (left) after bestowing him with the Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur Thursday. — Bernama

Also present were Susilo's wife Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda and several other Indonesian ministers.

After the presentation ceremony, Susilo attended a banquet hosted by Tuanku Mizan at the palace's Banquet Hall.

Susilo's visit is in conjunction with the annual consultation traditionally held between the Prime Minister and the Indonesian President.

The visit is aimed at enhancing existing bilateral relations and improving co-operation in all fields between Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

Today, Susilo has a tight schedule which begins with a visit to Dataran Perdana in Putrajaya.

Later, he will attend a delegation meeting between Malaysia and Indonesia.

In the evening, Susilo is scheduled to visit the Indonesian Embassy in Jalan Tun Razak.

He is also scheduled to join Abdullah in attending a concert featuring artistes from Indonesia and Malaysia held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.