SEPANG, Feb 5 ― Malaysia rolled out the red carpet at tbe Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), here, today to welcome Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is on a three-day maiden state visit to the country.

As the president's official aircraft touched down at 3.50pm, the president, fondly known as Jokowi, and his wife, Iriana were greeted by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

On hand to welcome Jokowi and his delegation were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

Also present were cabinet ministers, ambassadors and foreign dignitaries.         

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is the minister-in-attendance.

Jokowi was accorded a ceremonial welcome where the national anthems of Malaysia and Indonesia were played followed by a 21-gun salute.

Later, he inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by 104 officers and men from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Mohd Herdi Ismail.

The visiting Jokowi was also introduced to Malaysian cabinet ministers and shook hands with foreign dignitaries who stood along the red carpet.

The visit by Jokowi, who was appointed as Indonesian president on October 20 last year, is at the invitation of Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

He has brought along key cabinet ministers in his delegation including Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Sofyan Djalil, Minister of Trade Rachmat Gobel and Minister of Manpower M.Hanif Dhakiri.

Jokowi will have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah followed by a state banquet at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur.

Tomorrow, he is scheduled to hold meetings with Najib in Putrajaya.     

Najib and his wife will also host an official luncheon in honour of Jokowi, his wife and the Indonesian delegation at Seri Perdana in Putrajaya.

Jokowi will be visiting Proton, with a view to exploring cooperation opportunities between the two countries in the automotive field.

He will depart for Brunei on Saturday.   

Wisma Putra in a statement yesterday, said the Indonesian president's state visit would provide an opportunity for both leaders to take stock of the progress of the existing bilateral ties between the two countries.

Indonesia is Malaysia's sixth largest trading partner globally, and third largest trading partner among Asean member countries.

Total trade between the two countries was recorded at RM61.1 billion in 2013 and RM54.7 billion for the period of January to November 2014. ― Bernama