His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to receive in separate audiences two outgoing foreign diplomats to Brunei as well as the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia at the Istana Nurul Iman.
His Majesty first consented to receive in audience Mr Yoshinobu Nisaka, Ambassador of Japan to the Sultanate, who has been in the country since August 28, 2003.
His Majesty then consented to receive in audience Mr Butshikan Singh, High Commissioner of India to Brunei since February 3, 2005.
Also present during the ceremonies was Pg Dato Paduka Hj Abu Bakar Pg Seri Indera Pg Hj Ismail, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office.
His Majesty also consented to receive in audience Mrs Clare Martin MLA, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory of Australia.
Present at this ceremony was Pehin Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Rahman Dato Seri Setia Hj Mohamed Taib, Minister of Education, Pg Dato Paduka Hj Abu Bakar, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, and Dato Paduka Hj Shofry Hj Abd Ghafor, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
In a separate session, His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, also consented to receive in audience the Chief Minister of Australia's Northern Territory.
Mrs Clare Martin is currently in the country on an official tour. She was accompanied yesterday by Dr Ruth Adler, High Commissioner of Australia to Brunei, as well as six senior officers from the Northern Territory of Australia.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, also received the Chief Minister yesterday at the Balai Penghadapan in Bukit Kayangan.
His Royal Highness welcomed Mrs Clare Martin and discussed cooperation between the Sultanate and the Northern Territory of Australia particularly through BIMP-EAGA.
His Royal Highness then granted a farewell audience to Mr Butshikan Singh, outgoing Indian High Commissioner of India to Brunei.
- Borneo Bulletin
(10th August 2006)
