HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam arrived in Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia yesterday to attend the official inauguration ceremony of the new President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. The ceremony will be held today, October 20, 2014.

Upon arrival at the Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport, Jakarta, His Majesty was greeted by Bagas Hapsoro, Direktor Jeneral Staf Ahli Manajemen, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and Nurul Qomar, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam as well as senior government officials 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 Grand Hyatt Jakarta Hotel, where His Majesty will reside. Upon arrival at the hotel, His Majesty was greeted by Peter Stettler, General Manager of Grand Hyatt Jakarta Hotel.

Accompanying His Majesty are Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul 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.

Joko Widodo was named as the President-elect of the Republic of Indonesia in September this year after having been declared the winner in the July presidential elections. He will be the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia.

Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of Indonesia enjoy warm and cordial relations and cooperate extensively in various areas, among others, economic activities, oil and gas, and human resources. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1984.

Prior to His Majesty’s departure from Brunei Darussalam, a Doa Selamat was read by Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abd Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti, at the Istana Nurul Iman.

Present at His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight Hangar to bid farewell to the monarch were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik 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 Council, Deputy Ministers, the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, the Commissioner of Police and a representative from the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam. - Borneo Bulletin (20 October 2014)