HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam arrived in Bali, Republic of Indonesia to attend Bali Democracy Forum VII, October 10 and 11.

Upon arrival at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, His Majesty was greeted by Prof Dr Ir H Mohammad Nuh, Minister of Education and Culture, Republic of Indonesia; Nurul Qomar, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam; and senior officials from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia.

Also present to greet His Majesty was Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mahmud bin Haji Saidin, Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of Indonesia.

His Majesty boarded a motorcade to the St Regis Bali Hotel where His Majesty will reside throughout the forum. Upon arrival at the hotel, His Majesty was greeted by Helimut Pluecker, the Managing Director of the hotel and staff.

The Bali Democracy Forum, initiated by the Republic of Indonesia in 2008, is an annual, inclusive and open inter-governmental forum on the development of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region. The forum is aimed at promoting and fostering regional and international cooperation in the field of peace and democracy through dialogue, sharing experiences and best practices that adhere to the principle of equality, mutual respect and understanding.

The theme of this year's Bali Democracy Forum VII is ‘Evolving Regional Democratic Architecture: The Challenges of Political Development, Public Participation, and Socio-Economic Progress in the 21st Century, which focuses on the topics Dynamics of Political Development and Socio-Economic Progress’ and ‘Promoting Active, Effective, and Meaningful Public Participation in the Democratic Process’.

Accompanying His Majesty are Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abd Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim, Minister of Finance II at the Prime Minister's Office and Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II.

Earlier, before departing from the Istana Nurul Iman, a Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

Present at His Majesty the Sultan's Flight Hangar in Rimba to bid farewell to His Majesty were HRH Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, HRH Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah, HRH Prince Abdul Malik, HRH Prince Abdul Wakeel and HRH Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah as well as other members of the royal family.

Also present at the hangar were YAM Pengiran Cheterias, Speaker of the Legislative Council, Cabinet Ministers, Members of the Privy Councils, Deputy Ministers, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Commissioner of Police as well as a representative from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam. - Borneo Bulletin (10 October 2014)