HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has received congratulatory messages from world leaders on the occasion of the 30th National Day of Brunei Darussalam.
In a message, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of Britain said, “It gives me great pleasure to send Your Majesty my congratulations and warmest greetings on the celebration of your National Day, together with my best wishes for the good fortune and happiness of the people of Brunei Darussalam in the coming year.”
His Majesty AlMu’Tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Al-Haj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah sent a congratulatory message to His Majesty and other members of the royal family as well as the people of Brunei Darussalam and hoped that the Sultanate would celebrate the National Day full of blessings as well as with peace and prosperity.
His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong was also grateful for the warm and cordial ties that exist between the leaders and peoples of Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam and hoped that such close relationship would continue and remain cordial.
His Majesty the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong was confident that Brunei Darussalam would achieve prosperity and progress under the wise leadership of His Majesty and prayed to Allah the Almighty for longevity of the monarch and for His Majesty to continue to rule the nation peacefully.
Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, and his spouse, on behalf of the Government and people of Malaysia, congratulated His Majesty on the occasion of the country’s 30th National Day.
“I am grateful to Allah the Almighty for the close and warm ties that exist between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam and such close ties exist especially during the 17th annual consultation held in Brunei Darussalam on December 18, 2013.
“I am delighted with the peace and prosperity long enjoyed by Brunei Darussalam under the leadership of His Majesty and the Asean Summits which Brunei Darussalam has hosted smoothly and successfully last year. I am confident that under the leadership of His Majesty, Brunei Darussalam would prosper and enjoy peace and stability.”
Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib prayed to Allah the Almighty that His Majesty and other members of the royal family as well as the people of Brunei would continue to receive blessings and be under the protection of Allah the Almighty.
President of Singapore, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, in his message to His Majesty, said the people of Singapore joined him in extending to His Majesty and the people of Brunei their warmest congratulations on the special occasion of the country’s 30th National Day.
“Brunei’s 30th National Day is an occasion to celebrate the many achievements of the Sultanate. Under Your Majesty’s wise and benevolent rule, Brunei Darussalam has made tremendous progress as a peaceful and prosperous nation and also had a successful year as Asean Chair in 2013. I am confident that Brunei would continue to flourish in the years ahead.
“Singapore and Brunei Darussalam enjoy steadfast and enduring friendship based on strong personal ties, convergence of interests and similarity in views. The frequent interactions between our leaders and shared experiences of our peoples have fostered mutual trust and respect.
“We remain committed to our cooperation in education, defence and longstanding Currency Interchangeability Agreement, while continuing to look for new areas to broaden our cooperation. We also share common perspectives on many regional and international issues, such as our goal of building an Asean Community.”
Dr Tan said he was delighted to visit Brunei last May and was deeply honoured by the warmth and generous hospitality extended to him.
He added that he is very much looking forward to hosting His Majesty’s visit to Singapore later this year.
“With Your Majesty’s firm support, I have very confidence that the relationship between both countries and peoples would continue to thrive in the years ahead. I extended my best wishes for the good health and happiness of Your Majesty and the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Brunei Darussalam,” Dr Tan said.
Meanwhile, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said, “On behalf of the Government and people of Singapore, I congratulate you and the people of Brunei Darussalam on the joyous occasion of Brunei Darussalam’s 30th National Day.”
He added that Brunei had enjoyed peace, prosperity and steady progress under His Majesty’s leadership.
“Singapore and Brunei Darussalam share a special relationship, based on longstanding friendships between our leaders and close ties at all levels. Our Currency Interchangeability Agreement and defence relations reflect our excellent cooperation.”
“We continue to broaden our partnerships, bilaterally and in Asean. I therefore look forward to your upcoming visit to Singapore and continue working with you to enhance the Singapore-Brunei Darussalam relations. I wish you good health and success always.”
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, in his message said, “Your Majesty, please accept sincere congratulations on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Independence Day of Brunei Darussalam.
“Achievements of your country in economic and social fields are well-known. Brunei is playing an important role in solving essential regional issues, as proven by Brunei’s successful Chairmanship of Asean last year.
“It is a pleasure for me to point out the constructive character of the Russian-Bruneian relationship.
“I am sure the broadening of bilateral cooperation in all areas corresponds to the interests of our people and complies with efforts to ensure stability and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
“I wish Your Majesty good health, happiness and success, as well as to the people of Brunei – well-being and prosperity.”
Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, received a congratulatory message from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman, on the occasion of the country’s 30th National Day.
Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman congratulated His Royal Highness and the people of Brunei and was grateful for the close and cordial ties that have long existed between both countries.
He hoped that such warm relations would be strengthened.
He expressed his thanks to the Sultanate for successfully hosting the Asean Summits last year and hoped that His Royal Highness and the people of Brunei receive blessings and enjoy everlasting peace and prosperity.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah also received a congratulatory message from Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law of Singapore, K Shanmugam.
Shanmugam said Singapore and Brunei Darussalam share a unique and longstanding relationship built on personal ties between our leaders, officials and people, as well as strong institutional linkages.
“Our fruitful collaboration stretches across many fields and has brought much benefit to both Bruneians and Singaporeans alike. We also coordinate closely and consistently internationally and regionally.
“We worked together particularly well during Brunei Darussalam’s successful Asean Chairmanship in 2013, which has brought us closer to the goal of an Asean Community by 2015. Brunei’s Chairmanship of Asean has enhanced your standing in the international community.”
K Shanmugam said His Royal Highness’ visit for the 15th Singapore-Brunei Darussalam Exchange Visit last October helped to give further impetus to our excellent bilateral relationship.
“I look forward to more such exchanges and to continue working closely with Your Royal Highness to enhance bilateral relations. I wish Your Royal Highness good health, happiness and continued success.”
United States Secretary of State John Kerry also issued a statement to congratulate Brunei Darussalam on its National Day.
“On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I send my most heartfelt congratulations to the people of Brunei Darussalam as you celebrate your 30th National Day on February 23. Our formal diplomatic relations began in 1984, but the friendship between our two countries goes back more than 160 years.
“The depth and value of this relationship were plain for me to see during my two visits to your wonderful ‘Abode of Peace’ last year.
“Our excellent cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral settings is vital to the prosperity and stability of the region.
“Brunei’s Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations during 2013 was commendable in every way. From English language training to energy cooperation, our robust relationship is a force for good in the region. I wish all the people of Brunei the very best on this special anniversary and look forward to many more years of working closely together,” Kerry said.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Sectary William Hague, in a congratulatory message to His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, said, “I am delighted to send you and the people of Brunei Darussalam my highest regards and congratulations on the occasion of your National Day.
“I am pleased Brunei Darussalam and the UK have such excellent relations across a wide range of fields which have benefited both our countries. The strong educational links we share enhance contact and understanding among our young people. The UK welcomes its close links with Southeast Asia and I would like to congrtulate you on your successful Chairmanship of Asean.
“I look forward to continuing our work together,” Hague said.
- Borneo Bulletin
(23 February 2014)
