Royal Welcome For Malaysian King

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri Azrinaz Mazhar yesterday rolled out the royal red carpet to officially welcome the outgoing Malaysian monarch, His Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Fauziah at Istana Nurul Iman.

Amidst state 'protocols, the Malaysian monarch was first greeted at the Brunei International Airport by His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, the Ambassador-atlarge at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Soon after, His Majesty, Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri waited for their royal Malaysian guests at the Istana, where upon their arrival, the two monarchs respected each other's national anthems as they were played out, before His Majesty the Sultan invited His Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong to inspect the honour guard from the Royal Brunei Land Forces.

This visit by the twelfth Malaysian Agong is a farewell call before stepping down as the supreme Malaysian monarch next month.

His Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and Her Majesty Raja Permaisuri Agong were then introduced to the sultanate's royal family, state dignitaries and government ministers before their audience with His Majesty Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri.

His Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong ascended his turn as supreme ruler in December 2001, three years earlier than expected, following the demise of the late Sultan of Selangor, Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Al-Haj, who passed away in November 2001.

His Majesty Yang Di-Pertiiaii Agong of Malaysia is also the sultan of the Malaysian state of Perlis. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Isteri then hosted a luncheon for Malaysia's royalty.

His Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong will be succeeded by His Majesty Al Wathiqu Billah, AlSultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, the 16th Sultan of the Malaysian state of Terengganu, who will ascend to the throne as the 13th monarch of Malaysia.

Brunei and Malaysia shares a very special relationship, not only as neighbouring countries but also because of their close links in terms of history, culture and a common language. Both, countries also enjoy close economic relations that have the potential to expand further through the continuous exploration of new opportunities through the development of bilateral cooperation in trade and investment. Both countries have also continued to enjoy economic growth, such as tourism, agriculture and manufactured goods.

Later yesterday evening, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam hosted a royal banquet in honour of His Majesty Yang DiPertuan Agong of Malaysia at the prestigious Empire Hotel and Country Club. Curious onlookers and tourists took the opportunity to take photographs of the royal entourage, which consisted of Her Majesty the Raja Isteri, Her Majesty the Raja Per maisuri Agong, Her Royal Highness the Pengiran Isteri and the rest of Brunei's royal family. The Malaysian monarch is scheduled to depart Brunei today.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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