King Abdullah was a visionary leader - PM

The late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was visionary leader and earned the love and respect of his fellow countrymen and the Islamic ummah for the prosperity and development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"When he was the king of Saudi Arabia, ties between Malaysia and the kingdom progressed at a rapid pace. This can be seen through the enhanced cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

"The facilities extended to Malaysians for performing the Haj pilgrimage is something very much appreciated by the Malaysian government," he told Malaysian journalists here before heading to Zurich to fly to Riyadh to attend the funeral for the late king.

Najib, who is here to attend the World Economic Forum, has cancelled all his programmes in Davos to attend the funeral .

"On behalf of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Government of Malaysia and all Malaysians, I wish to extend my condolences to family of King Abdullah," said the prime minister.

Najib and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor are scheduled to leave for Riyadh on a special aircraft at noon local time from the Zurich International Airport.

The Saudi Arabian monarch died Friday at the age of 90. Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz has been named the new king.

Najib has also posted similar comments on his Facebook account