His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik attended a Hari Raya open house hosted by the Singaporean High Commission in Brunei Darussalam at Royal Berkshire Hall, Royal Brunei Polo and Riding Club in Jerudong yesterday.
Accompanying His Royal Highness were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Muthee’ah Raayatul Bolqiah, Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Fathiyyah Rafaahul Bolqiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Khaalishah Mishbaahul Bolqiah.
Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz bin Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abu Bakar were also present.
The open house coincided with the visit of Singapore’s Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Education and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman and spouse Sadiah Shahal, Singapore’s Minister of State at the Prime Minister’s Office Desmond Tan Kok Ming and spouse Tara Heng, and Member of Singapore Parliament Yeo Wan Ling.
Dr Mohamad Maliki in an interview on Friday said Brunei Darussalam and Singapore share a unique and long-lasting relationship.
He also shared that he has visited the Sultanate for Hari Raya several times and in every occasion, he and his delegation have received warm welcomes.
The Singaporean minister believes that Brunei-Singapore ties are more than diplomatic relations; it is a deep personal friendship with 40 years of alliance.
Dr Mohamad Maliki said the significant year began with an official visit by Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, which was the president’s first official visit overseas.
Choosing Brunei as the first destination demonstrated the importance in ties between both countries, he added.
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 president touched on deepening ties, bilateral issues and cooperative projects in a meeting, and among the topics of discussion were investment, trade, education, green energy and building civil servants’ capacity.
Dr Mohamad Maliki also said there will be a logo design competition for the 40th anniversary open to youth in Brunei and Singapore.
Singapore is set to welcome His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office to a young leaders’ programme later this year.
Cabinet ministers, Legislative Council members, Singaporean High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Laurence Bay Siow Hon and spouse, members of the diplomatic corps and former ministers as well as business community members and prominent figures were present at the open house. – James Kon
