The Dean of the Diplomatic Corp and Ambassador of Qatar to Brunei Darussalam Jassim bin Ali Abdullah Al-Obeidli hosted a farewell dinner for the outgoing Ambassador of Iran to Brunei Darussalam Homeira Rigi Zirouki and High Commissioner of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam Heng Aik Yeow.
The farewell dinner at the Mutiara Ballroom of the Radisson Hotel in the capital was attended by members of the diplomatic community in the Sultanate.
Homeira Rigi in her farewell speech said during her time in Brunei, she aimed to foster strong connections between the two nations by engaging with the people and the authorities.
She also strived to convey the message of peace and friendship from her country to Brunei and beyond, which she hoped she has succeeded.
She expressed her appreciation to 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 and the royal family.
“I value the excellent cooperation we established with the Brunei government and hope it will continue to grow under the countries’ officials.
“The diplomatic community present today, have been a friendly and professional group. Working with you has been a joy and your support during the embassies’ events lifted my spirits and I am grateful to have met kind and honourable people,” said Homeira Rigi.
“In international politics, interests may cause fluctuation in relations between countries,” she said adding that nevertheless she believes that the countries’ peace and friendship remain outmost significant surpassing barriers of policy.
“I wish everyone especially the Diplomatic corps represented here peace, tranquility prosperity, well-being and continued mutual respect,” she added.
Meanwhile, Heng Aik Yeow said, “It has been a fruitful short two-and-half-years and we have done a lot together partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also done many other things and it was a very exciting time.”
The dinner proceeded with the presentation of souvenirs to the two outgoing envoys. – Lyna Mohamad
