HIS Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah yesterday made a courtesy call on Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, and his spouse, Ani Bambang Yudhoyono.

Following that, HRH the Crown Prince attended a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Defence, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, and in the afternoon, HRH attended a luncheon hosted by the defense minister.

The arrival of Their Royal Highnesses at the Istana Merdeka for the courtesy call was welcomed by the Indonesian president and his wife. After a photo session and signing of a Visitor’s Book, Their Royal Highnesses proceeded to the Jepara Room for the courtesy call.

During the courtesy call, HRH expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the cordial welcome and good hospitality afforded to HRH and the delegation. HRH also expressed appreciation to the Indonesian government for the honour given to him during the conferment of the Honorary Member of Military.

Views were exchanged on the increasingly close bilateral relations in various fields of cooperation.

Accompanying Their Royal Highnesses were Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Ali bin Haji Apong; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei Darussalam to the Republic of Indonesia, Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Mahmud bin Haji Saidin and his wife.

After the courtesy call, HRH Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, General of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, met with Indonesian Defence Minister, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, at the Ministry of Defence.

HRH and Purnomo Yusgiantoro exchanged views on cooperation in the area of defence of both countries. The meeting concluded with the exchange of plaques between HRH and the defense minister.

Following this was a luncheon hosted by the defence minister, which opened with a doa recital and a welcoming speech by the minister.

Meanwhile, in a sabda, HRH thanked Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro for hosting the lunch. HRH also thanked the minister, the government and the people of the Republic of Indonesia for the kind invitation and for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to HRH and the delegation.

HRH said he was happy to be back in Indonesia again, and to see the impressive social and economic developments taking place in the beautiful country of Indonesia. HRH also expressed appreciation for the programme that had been prepared, and to be given the opportunity to visit Bandung for the first time.

HRH expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Defence for the military honours he had received from the special forces of the TNI. The awards, HRH said, highlighted the long-standing, cordial relations that exist between both countries’ defence and military establishments.

HRH said the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam deeply appreciates the close cooperation established between Brunei and Indonesia. HRH was also pleased to note, in particular, the ongoing efforts to further strengthen the bilateral defence relations, particularly through the establishment of the BRUNESIA High Level Committee last year and the Inaugural Joint Defence Cooperation Committee Meeting to be held in Brunei this year.

HRH expressed confidence his visit would serve as another important landmark to further reinforce the existing relations between the two defence and military institutions, but more importantly, HRH took the opportunity to express appreciation for the offers given to Royal Brunei Armed Forces personnel to attend various courses and training in Indonesia that have contributed to their development and professionalism.

The Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam will continue to welcome the participation of defence and military officials from the Republic of Indonesia to attend courses in our Defence Institute and Defence Academy, HRH said.

HRH believes there are many other areas that both countries can explore – such as defence science and technology, exchange of information, and joint military exercises. After the luncheon, HRH received a ‘pesambah’ from the defence minister, and in return, HRH presented a gift to Purnomo Yusgiantoro. - Borneo Bulletin (6 May 2014)