MFA Press Statement: State Visit of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei

         His Majesty Paduka Seri Baginda Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, began his three-day State Visit to Singapore today.

         His Majesty and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha received a ceremonial welcome at the Istana, and paid a courtesy call on President Tony Tan and Mrs Mary Tan. President and His Majesty expressed their satisfaction with the excellent state of the bilateral relationship. Both leaders noted the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in many areas, including on the economy, defence, education, health, finance and youth issues.

         Following a four-eye meeting between His Majesty and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Their Majesties were hosted to lunch by Prime Minister Lee and Mrs Lee. Prime Minister Lee and His Majesty reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the longstanding bilateral partnership, and agreed to keep up the close ties at the leadership level into the next generation. In this regard, Prime Minister Lee welcomed the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam to Singapore later this year. This is a follow up to DPM Teo Chee Hean’s visit to Brunei in August 2013 under the Young Leaders’ Programme. Prime Minister Lee also extended an invitation to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Billah to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

         His Majesty was hosted to a tour of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Central College by Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat. His Majesty viewed the Centre for Technology in 3D Applied Technology (iCUBE), the Maritime Hub as well as the Aerospace Hub. In the evening, His Majesty will have a meeting with former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. This underscores the close personal ties between His Majesty and Singapore’s leaders over the years. President and Mrs Tan will then host a State Banquet in honour of His Majesty and Her Majesty the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha.

         Their Majesties are accompanied for the State Visit by a senior delegation comprising His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Malik, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Minister of Education Pehin Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Finance II Pehin Abdul Rahman Ibrahim, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II Pehin Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office Pehin Yasmin Umar, as well as senior Bruneian officials.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singapore

21 April 2014