ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the laying of a wreath at the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkiye, is a mandatory official protocol that must be observed by all heads of state during official visits to the country. "All heads of state undertaking official visits are required to perform the ceremony. He was speaking at a press conference here prior to his departure for home after concluding his three-day official visit to Turkiye. Anwar said the practice applies regardless of the political party or leadership governing Turkiye and has been observed by all Malaysian prime ministers who have previously undertaken official visits to the country. All Malaysian prime ministers who previously made official visits, whether Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad or Datuk Seri Najib Razak, also went through the same ceremony,” he said.

Source: The Star January 09, 2026 06:49 UTC