Bahyiah Bakir & Azlan Othman
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 yesterday received in audience Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore Lawrence Wong at Istana Nurul Iman.
During the ceremony, His Majesty and Wong discussed the strong bilateral relations between the two countries particularly in defence; the Currency Interchangeability Agreement; placement of Bruneian civil servants in Singapore under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on public service capacity development signed during His Majesty’s state visit to Singapore on August 24, 2022; and the hosting of the 9th Young Leaders’ Programme (YLP) by the Sultanate.
His Majesty also expressed appreciation for the close relations with Singapore, leading to assistance from Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Accompanying Wong were Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and High Commissioner of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam Heng Aik Yeow.
Also present were Brunei’s Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof and Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos.
Wong and his delegation are in the country for a two-day official visit.
His Majesty in a separate audience received outgoing Ambassador of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam Dr Sujatmiko at Istana Nurul Iman.
Dr Sujatmiko presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty on July 7, 2018.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam yesterday received in audience spouse of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance of Singapore Loo Tze Lui.
Also present was spouse of Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs Joy Balakrishnan.
In a separate ceremony, Her Majesty also received in audience spouse of the outgoing Ambassador of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam Nani Sujatmiko. Both ceremonies took place at Istana Nurul Iman.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman in a separate audience also received Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and his spouse.
Also present was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew, Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan, and Dato Seri Paduka Mohd Riza were also in attendance.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Wong discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore including cooperation in the public sector, education and investment.
Following the event, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah hosted a luncheon for Wong and his delegation at Qashr Al-Meezaan.
