HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to attend the inauguration of Joko Widodo as the 7th President of the Republic of Indonesia and to hold a bilateral meeting with John F Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States.

Upon arrival at Gedung Nusantara 1, Kompleks Parlemen where the ceremony took place, His Majesty was greeted by Dato Laila Utama Dr H Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the outgoing President of the Republic of Indonesia.

His Majesty, along with Dato Laila Utama Dr H Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo, as well as other invited heads of state, proceeded to the Sidang Paripurna for the inauguration, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement. His Majesty also consented to be formally introduced to the assembly of the Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat of the Republic of Indonesia.

Joko Widodo was then sworn-in as president, while Muhammad Jusuf Kalla was sworn-in as the vice-president. They signed their letters of appointment and then Indonesia’s new president delivered his inaugural address.

After conclusion of the ceremony, His Majesty along with fellow heads of state proceeded to a reception with the new president and vice-president.

At the reception, His Majesty also consented to hold a bilateral meeting with John F Kerry to discuss bilateral issues and cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and the United States. They exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual concern.

Accompanying His Majesty to the ceremony and the bilateral meeting were 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. - Borneo Bulletin (21 October 2014)