On Saturday, 10 October 2026, King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim awarded President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi with the Order of Darjah Utama Seri Mahkota Negara, also known as the Order of the Crown of the Realm. This is Malaysia's highest federal honor, reserved for foreign heads of state, royalty, and distinguished figures. The award was presented during El-Sisi's meeting with Sultan Ibrahim at the Malaysian National Palace in Kuala Lumpur.
The Order of the Crown of the Realm was established on 16 August 1958 and formally instituted by royal decree on 21 August of the same year. The honor is typically awarded to members of the Malaysian royal family and distinguished foreign dignitaries on an honorary basis. It consists of a single class, limited to 30 members, excluding foreign recipients. The insignia of the order comprises five main elements: the collar, the order's badge on the collar, the order's star, the order's sash, and the order's badge on the sash.
During the meeting, President El-Sisi expressed his pride in making a state visit to Malaysia, appreciating the hospitality and warm reception. He commended the longstanding historical ties between Egypt and Malaysia, emphasizing the importance of strengthening their partnership in areas of mutual interest, such as economy, trade, and investment. El-Sisi also praised the cultural and scientific cooperation between the two countries, particularly the role of Egypt's Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Malaysia.
President El-Sisi extended an invitation to King Sultan Ibrahim to visit Egypt, which the King appreciated. The King welcomed El-Sisi on his first visit to Malaysia since 2014, affirming that the visit represents a strong boost to the enduring ties between both nations. Sultan Ibrahim emphasized Malaysia's keenness to further advance bilateral cooperation with Egypt across various fields of mutual interest.
During the meeting, President El-Sisi outlined Egypt's perspective on current regional and international developments, highlighting Cairo's efforts to de-escalate regional tensions. He stressed the importance of intensifying political consultations between both countries and coordinating their positions in multilateral forums. El-Sisi praised Malaysia's historic support for the Palestinian cause and emphasized the necessity of a just and comprehensive settlement for the Palestinian people.
King Sultan Ibrahim commended Egypt's pivotal role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, expressing agreement with El-Sisi's remarks on the importance of political coordination between both countries. An official reception ceremony was held, which included the playing of national anthems, an inspection of the guard of honor, and a 21-gun salute. President El-Sisi signed the palace's guestbook and greeted members of the Malaysian official delegation and several Arab and African ambassadors.
Following the meeting, King Sultan Ibrahim hosted a luncheon in honor of President El-Sisi and his delegation. El-Sisi's current visit to Malaysia marks the second leg of his Asian tour, which includes South Korea and Indonesia. The visit aims to strengthen Egypt's ties with Southeast Asian nations and promote cooperation in various fields.
Key points
- The Order of the Crown of the Realm is Malaysia's highest federal honor.
- President El-Sisi and King Sultan Ibrahim emphasized the importance of strengthening Egypt-Malaysia ties.
- The visit aims to promote cooperation between Egypt and Malaysia in various fields.
