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 Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam yesterday received in audience Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and spouse Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam as well as delegation, who are in the country for a three-day state visit.
Prior to this, 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 proceeded together with the president and spouse from The Empire Brunei to Istana Nurul Iman.
En route to Istana Nurul Iman, the president and spouse were greeted with the waving of both countries’ national flags by approximately 3,000 students and teachers from 17 government and private schools.
The state visit, which is also an introductory visit of the president and spouse began with the state welcoming ceremony, in which Their Majesties welcomed the arrival of the president and spouse on the grounds of Istana Nurul Iman. Their Majesties, together with the president and spouse, then received the salute of honour on the special dais, accompanied with the national anthems of both countries and a 21-gun salute. The two leaders then inspected the guard of honour mounted by members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
The president and spouse were then introduced to members of the royal family; special advisor to His Majesty; the Speaker of the Legislative Council; Cabinet ministers; members of the Privy Council; deputy ministers; the Commissioner of Police, Royal Brunei Police Force; the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; members of the Legislative Council; foreign envoys; and permanent secretaries from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; as well as their spouses.
Their Majesties were then introduced to members of the delegation of the president, including Minister for National Development Desmond Lee; Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Education and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman; and Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang.
