Lyna Mohamad
Ambassador of Oman to Brunei Darussalam cum Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel Al-Maskari and members of the Diplomatic Corps yesterday heaped praise on His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Government for curbing the COVID-19 outbreak and moving the Sultanate into the Endemic Phase.
“We in the Diplomatic Corps are massively privileged to take this opportunity to express our extreme gratitude and profoundest appreciation to His Majesty and His Majesty’s Government for the prioritisation accorded to the diplomatic community in terms of vaccination and quarantine arrangements over the past two years,” Sheikh Ahmed said during a luncheon reception marking the monarch’s 76th birthday celebration at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club yesterday.
The Diplomatic Corps is also grateful to the health authority in Brunei Darussalam for the dialogues on COVID-19-related issues and incentives, as well as the support afforded to foreign workers in the Sultanate to alleviate their hardship in the wake of the outbreak.
The ambassador pointed out that while the world struggles to contain the pandemic, Brunei Darussalam pressed on with His Majesty’s foresight of seeking Allah the Almighty’s blessings through the recitation of Doa and Zikir, in addition to enforcing stringent health practices. In doing so, the Sultanate was able to effectively control the outbreak and subsequently move into the Endemic Phase.
“We would also like to congratulate His Majesty on Brunei Darussalam’s successful ASEAN chairmanship last year. In those challenging times, Brunei continued to play an important role as the ASEAN chair,” he added.
The Diplomatic Corps appreciates the strong bilateral relations that exist between Brunei Darussalam and respective countries.
To complement traditional and formal diplomacy, the Diplomatic Corps has also turned to public diplomacy. This includes the photography exhibition titled ‘Brunei Darussalam from the Eyes of Foreign Diplomats and Their Families’, which was launched by Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Royal Regalia Museum on December 16, 2020.
“I am further honoured to express our sincere gratitude for the kind cooperation and favourable consideration that we continue to receive from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) under His Majesty’s wise leadership,” he added.
Sheikh Ahmed also extended appreciation to Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof and MFA’s Protocol Department personnel for their support.
