MFA Press Statement: State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam (21 to 23 April 2014)

            His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, will make a State Visit to Singapore from 21 to 23 April 2014. 

            His Majesty and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Istana.  They will pay a courtesy call on and be hosted to a State Banquet by President Tony Tan and Mrs Mary Tan.  His Majesty will also meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; Prime Minister Lee and Mrs Lee will host Their Majesties to an official lunch.  Prime Minister Lee will also accompany His Majesty for a morning walk at the Gardens by the Bay.  In addition, His Majesty will meet former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

            His Majesty will deliver the 34^th Singapore Lecture on 22 April 2014 on “The Future of ASEAN”, which will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.  Previous iterations of the prestigious Singapore Lecture have been delivered by distinguished statesmen including President of Indonesia Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, and Federal Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel. 

            During the State Visit, His Majesty will visit the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central campus, the Singapore Armed Forces’ Multi-Mission Range Complex and 3^rd Division Headquarters, as well as the Singapore LNG Terminal on Jurong Island. 

             The State Visit by His Majesty underscores the excellent relations between Singapore and Brunei. It also reaffirms the warm and longstanding friendship between the leaders and peoples of both countries.  Singapore and Brunei cooperate closely in many areas including defence, finance, education, and health, as well as in various regional and international fora.  His Majesty’s visit provides an excellent opportunity to review existing bilateral collaboration and explore new areas for both countries to work together.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

20 APRIL 2014