KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — Malaysia and Bahrain discussed ways to enhance cooperation in tackling terrorism and extremism, intelligence sharing, drug enforcement and detection, as well as border management and security to combat transnational threats.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the matters were raised during his bilateral meeting with Bahrain’s Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid Abdulla Al Khalifa in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
He said the meeting, held on the sidelines of the 15th United Nations (UN) Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, provided an opportunity to strengthen relations based on shared values, mutual respect and a commitment to peace.
“Among the key matters also discussed was the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, which will take place at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) from Oct 2 to 4, 2026.
“Malaysia is honoured to welcome Bahrain and the international motorsports community to Sepang. The staging of this prestigious event is not merely about motorsports, but also serves as a bridge to strengthen the cordial relations and ties between the people of Malaysia and Bahrain,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution said that to ensure the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix takes place in a safe, smooth and welcoming environment for participants, officials and visitors, about 700 security and traffic management personnel will be deployed throughout the event.
He said a dedicated immigration lane at the airport would also be provided for team crews and accredited personnel, while visa arrangements would be facilitated for foreign nationals wishing to attend the event.
He said the meeting also touched briefly on developments regarding the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Crime between Malaysia and Bahrain, which is currently undergoing processes between the two countries, as part of efforts to strengthen security cooperation in a more structured manner over the long term.
He said Malaysia valued Bahrain as a partner in maintaining public order and international peace.
“I hope this momentum can be continued at the technical level and translated into tangible security cooperation outcomes for both countries,” he said. — Bernama
