ALOR SETAR, Sept 9 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah today called on all Malaysian pilgrims to uphold the country’s image and not to be influenced by developments occurring in the Middle East.

The King said any negative act by Malaysians would not only taint the country’s image but also affect the cordial relations between the governments of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

“Follow all the regulations and laws specified by the Saudi Arabian government so that all transactions could run smoothly,” the King said when bidding farewell to the pilgrims on the first direct flight from Alor Setar to Madinah at the Haj Complex, Kepala Batas, near here.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also advised the pilgrims to always look after their health and personal hygiene so that they could perform their religious rites properly.

Also present to bid the pilgrims farewell were the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah; the Chairman of the Kedah Council of Regency, Tan Sri Tunku Annuar Sultan Badlishah and members of the Council; Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, Datuk Seri Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani Sultan Badlishah and Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.

The direct flight from Alor Setar to Madinah today was the first carrying pilgrims from the northern region on Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Boeing 777. — Bernama