SINGAPORE: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam consented to attend an Official welcoming Ceremony of the three-day State Visit to Republic of Singapore, ©BRUDIRECT.COM reported.
His Majesty and Her Majesty yesterday consented to attend an official welcoming ceremony held at the Presidential Palace.
Their Majesties were welcomed by the President of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam and the First Lady Mrs Tan Keng Yam.
Accompanying His Majesty and Her Majesty were His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul Malik and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MoFAT).
His Majesty was then invited to the dais with His Excellency where His Majesty received an Honorary Salute followed by the National Anthem of Brunei Darussalam and the National Anthem of the Republic of Singapore, in which the national flags of both countries were hoisted.
His Majesty then consented to inspect the Guard of Honour mounted by seventy two personnel from the Singapore Land Forces.
His Majesty and Her Majesty together with His Excellency Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, the President of the Republic of Singapore and spouse then proceeded to the Presidential Palace. At the State Room, His Majesty consented to sign a Visitor Book.
His Majesty and Her Majesty were then introduced to Singapore’s Highest Ranking Officials His Excellency Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, the President of the Republic of Singapore and wife were also introduced to the Official Delegation of Brunei Darussalam.
His Majesty and Her Majesty together with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Singapore and wife later proceeded to the West Drawing Room and subsequently consented for a photo session.
During the official meeting held at the West Drawing Room, both leaders exchanged views on bilateral issues as well as regional and international matters.
While Her Majesty consented to proceed to the East Drawing Room for a Morning Tea Ceremony hosted by the wife of the First Lady of the Republic of Singapore, Mrs Tan Keng Yam.
Shortly afterwards, His Majesty and Her Majesty were greeted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong and spouse Mrs Ho Ching followed by a joint Photo Session.
His Majesty and His Excellency then proceeded to the Prime Minister’s Office for a Four-Eye Meeting. During the meeting both leaders also exchanged views on bilateral issues as well as regional and international matters while Her Majesty proceeded to the East Drawing Room for a Morning Tea Ceremony hosted by the wife of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, Mrs Ho Ching.
After the four-eye meeting concluded, His Majesty and Her Majesty together with His Excellency and wife proceeded to the Reception Room for a Luncheon Ceremony hosted by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Lee Hsien Loon, and spouse Mrs Ho Ching.
Prior to the luncheon, His Majesty and Her Majesty were introduced to Singapore’s Highest Ranking Officials, while His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong and spouse, were introduced to Brunei Darussalam’s Official Delegation.
Accompanying His Majesty and Her Majesty were the Minister of Environment and Water Resource of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, as Minister-in-Attendance and wife; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abd Aziz Pg Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu Bakar; the Minister of Education, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Awg Abu Bakar Hj Apong and wife; the Second Minister of Finance at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abd Rahman Hj Ibrahim and wife; the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng and wife; and the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Datu Singamanteri (Rtd) Colonel Dato Seri Setia Dr Awg Hj Md Yasmin Hj Umar and wife.
In the afternoon, the monarch consented to visit the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Central. Upon arrival at the ITE Central, His Majesty was greeted by the Minister of Education of the Republic of Singapore Mr Heng Swee Keat; Chief Executive Officer Mr Bruce Poh; Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Development), Dr Benjamin Tan; the Principal of the ITE College Central, Dr Ang Kiam Wee; and Director of Corporate and Development Affairs Division, Ms Tham Mei Leng. Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince Haji ‘Abdul Malik.
His Majesty was then invited to the Board Room where His Majesty was briefed on the ITE and later consented to sign a Visitor Book.
His Majesty then consented to receive a ‘pesambah’, a form of memento, from the Minister of Education of the Republic of Singapore.
After the briefing, His Majesty consented to visit the Centre of Technology in 3D Applied Technology (iCUBE), Maritime Hub and Aerospace Hub. The ITE or the Institute of Technical Education was established as a post-secondary education institution in 1992 under the Ministry of Education. ITE is a principal provider of career and technical education and key developer of national occupational skills certification and standards to enhance Singapore’s workforce competitiveness. Under its “One ITE System, Three Colleges” Model of Education and Governance, ITE has three Colleges, comprising ITE College Central, ITE College East and ITE College West, with a total number of students of around twenty thousand. Accompanying His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam were the Minister of Environment and Water Resource of the Republic of Singapore, His Excellency Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, as Minister-in-Attendance; Yang Amat Mulia Pg Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pg Anak Hj Abd Aziz Pg Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abu Bakar; the Minister of Education, the Second Minister of Finance at the Prime Minister’s Office, the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office. His Majesty also consented to have a Photo Session in front of ITE Aircraft.
Meanwhile, in a separate event, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha consented to make a visit to the Singapore Zoo hosted by the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs Teo Chee Hean.
Accompanying Her Majesty was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MoFAT). Upon arrival at the zoo, Her Majesty was greeted by the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister. Also present were the Chief Marketing officer, Ms Isabel Cheng; the General Manager of the Night Safari, Mr Kumar Pillai; the Director of Education, Ms. May Lok; and Director of Sales, Liang Wern Ling.
Her Majesty was then invited to tour the zoo which is well-known for having the most beautiful wildlife park settings in the world, where animals roam freely in open and naturalistic habitats. The twenty-hectare wildlife park is nestled within the rainforest and houses more than two thousand and eight hundred animals representing over three hundred species of mammals, birds and reptiles.
Brunei Darussalam and Republic of Singapore has long established relations before the official diplomatic relation was established in 1984.