His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam left for Aceh early yesterday morning to personally observe the effects of the recent earthquake and tsunamis that ravaged the Indonesian province, RTB reported.
Before the monarch's departure, a doa selamat was read by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
Present at the airport to bid His Majesty farewell was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam.
On arriving at the Sultan Iskandar Muda Military Airfield in Bandar Aceh, the monarch was welcomed by Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare of the Republic of Indonesia Dr Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab, and other local dignitaries comprising the Acting Governor of Aceh Province, Commander of the Indonesian Armed Forces in Aceh, Head of the Provincial Police Force, Head of the Judiciary of Aceh Province as well as the Attorney-General of the Aceh Province.
Prior to visiting the affected areas, His Majesty was briefed on the situation there by Dr Alwi Abdurrahman Shihab, Vice Governor of Aceh Province Haji Azwar Abu Bakar as well as other local officials. The briefing was held at the residence of the governor.
The first stop on His Majesty's itinerary was the Bandar Aceh beach area as well as important places affected by the calamity - such as the Baitur Rahman and Baitur Rahim mosques. His Majesty later presented both mosques with copies of the Quran.
From Bandar Aceh, His Majesty left for Sabang on We Island, where the monarch piloted one of the Blackhawk helicopters - owned by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces - stationed in the area. Arriving at the Maimun Salleh Military Airfield, His Majesty was greeted by the Mayor of Sabang, other local officials, as well as the officers and staff of the contingent from Brunei Darussalam.
In Sabang, His Majesty was briefed by the heads of the Brunei contingent. Following this, the ruler met with several contingent members comprising Royal Brunei Armed Forces personnel, Ministry of Health medical officers and staff, as well as staff of the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation.
Later His Majesty visited the hospitals where tsunami victims were treated under the supervision of medical officers and staff of Brunei's Ministry of Health and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. Here, the monarch was able to visit two injured children who are under the care of medical officers and staff of the Ministry of Health.
From the Sabang hospital, His Majesty again piloted one of the helicopters for an aerial observation of the affected areas in the northwestern region of Sumatra, the area worst hit by the disaster.
Prior to leaving for Bandar Aceh, His Majesty stopped over at Tepin Rambot, where the Royal Brunei Armed Forces has established its regimental aid post. Here, the monarch was briefed and had the chance to meet the officers and staff of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces as well as the Ministry of Health.
His Majesty left the Sultan Iskandar Muda Military Airfield in Banda Aceh in the afternoon, after having completed the one-day visit to the affected areas and personally observing the work done by the Brunei contingent.
- Borneo Bulletin
