Kuala Lumpur - Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd arrived in Malaysia Thursday for a whirlwind one-day visit where he was accorded an official red-carpet welcoming ceremony in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.

Rudd, who arrived from the G8 meeting in Hokkaido, Japan, was accompanied by Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in inspecting a guard of honour mounted by 103 officers of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Later, Rudd and Abdullah held a closed-door meeting where officials said both leaders discussed a range of bilateral and international issues.

Thursday's trip is Rudd's first official visit to Malaysia since he was elected.

Rudd was due later to have an audience with Malaysia's King Mizan Zainal Abidin at the national palace before departing for home later Thursday.

Observers have said Rudd's trip could signal an improvement in often strained ties between the two nations.

Rudd was earlier reported to have said he would not be meeting former deputy premier-turned-opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in a move to avoid a political backlash.

During the administration of former Australian premier John Howard, relations with Malaysia had been tense after Howard openly expressed support for Anwar, who was sacked and jailed on charges of sodomy and corruption in 1998. Anwar, who claims he was a victim of political conspiracy, was subsequently cleared of all sodomy charges.

Anwar, who led the opposition to make major gains in the country's March 8 general election, has recently been forced to face fresh sodomy allegations by a former male aide. (dpa)