Sultan Abdullah received the award from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace, making him the first Asean head of state to be given the honour.

He is among five heads of state conferred the award under the leadership of Erdogan. The others are Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Abdul Aziz, King Philippe of Belgium, the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi.

At the same ceremony, Sultan Abdullah bestowed Malaysia’s highest award, the Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara (DMN), on Erdogan. The award is accorded to a state ruler but is also bestowed on an honorary basis on a foreign head of state and other esteemed individuals.

The King was accompanied by the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandaria, and their daughters, Tengku Puteri Afzan Aminah Hafizatullah and Tengku Puteri Jihan Azizah ‘Athiyatullah.

Earlier, the royal couple attended a state banquet hosted by Erdogan and his wife, Emine Erdogan, at the Presidential Palace after they were accorded a state welcome.