By Azlan Othman
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pg Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar yesterday granted an audience to Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Ahmad Badawi and his spouse, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.
The prime minister and his wife are in Brunei for a two-day working visit for the 11th Annual Consultation Meeting.
Later in the day, the monarch held a four-eye meeting with Dato Seri Abdullah.
Also present at the audience were His Royal Highness Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Zariah and HRH Princess Hjh Masna, Ambassador-At-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Dato' Seri Abdullah is leading a high-level delegation comprising Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato' Seri Syed Hamid Syed Albar, Minister of Higher Education Dato Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi Dr Hj Abdul Taib Mahmud and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Musa Hj Aman.
Earlier in the day, the visiting Malaysian premier and his wife were greeted upon arrival at the Brunei International Airport by Minister of Education Pehin Dato Seri Setia Hj Abdul Rahman and his wife as the minister-in-attendance, in the presence of static uniformed personnel from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
Yesterday, the visiting Malaysian premier and delegation attended a hi-tea reception hosted by the Malaysian High Commissioner at his office in Jln Kebangsaan before attending a royal banquet at Jerudong Park Polo Club.
His Majesty and Dato' Seri Abdullah will also go for a morning walk followed by breakfast and a luncheon with the Malaysian community in the country.
Meanwhile, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah will have a separate programme and will be visiting Kg Ayer and the Royal Regalia building in the capital today.
The 11th Annual Consultation yesterday between Malaysia and Brunei held on a reciprocal basis is expected to expand bilateral ties.
His Majesty and Dato' Seri Abdullah discussed issues of mutual interest, including further strengthening of relations through existing areas of cooperation.
The annual summit, which the two countries are taking turns in hosting, was last held in Kuala Terengganu.
Aside from exchanging views on relations between the two countries, the annual consultation also provides a platform for both leaders to deliberate on regional and international issues of common interest.
At their last annual consultation, the two leaders had noted the progress made in various areas of cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, science and technology, aquaculture and agriculture.
- Borneo Bulletin
(14th August 2007)
