KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today made an official visit to the Ministry of Defence (MIndef), here.

His Majesty was welcomed upon arrival at the ministry at 11 am, by Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, his deputy Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, the ministry's secretary-general Datuk Seri Muez Abd Aziz, Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Affendi Buang and the ministry's services and management chiefs.

The 'Negaraku' was then played by the combined bands of the Royal Malay Regiment before His Majesty received the royal salute and inspected the guard of honour comprising four officers and 103 members led by Maj. Nurul Fauzan Md Sabri.

The King then signed the visitors' book witnessed by Hishammuddin and Affendi.

After the 30-minute welcoming ceremony, His Majesty listened to a briefing together with Mindef's senior officers on various related issues.

The over three-hour visit by His Majesty ended with the exchange of greetings with the ministry's officers and staff.

This official visit by Al-Sultan Abdullah to Mindef today was the first since the proclamation of His Majesty as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

-- BERNAMA