HM RECEIVES MALAYSIAN DEFENCE CHIEF
Asri Razak and Norhayati Zalani
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
07-Jan-07
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to grant an audience to Malaysian Chief of Armed Forces Laksmana Tan Sri Dato Paduka Seri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor at Istana Nurul Iman.
Also present during the audience were the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awg Halbi Md Yussof and Datuk Ali Abdullah Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, the Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office Hjh Salbiah Sulaiman and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Dato Paduka Mustapha Sirat.
The Malaysian chief of armed forces, who is leading a delegation for a four-day official "farewell visit" to Brunei Darussalam, arrived on Friday. He is scheduled to retire from service this year. While in the country the visitors and their Bruneian counterparts took part in a golf tournament and visited places of interest in the sultanate.
Meanwhile, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha consented to grant an audience with the wife of the Malaysian Chief of Armed Forces, Puan Sri Datin Sri Siti Hapsah Omar.
During the audience, Her Majesty consented to receive a souvenir from the guest. Puan Sri Datin Sri Siti Hapsah was accompanied at the audience by the wife of the Royal Brunei Armed Force's Commander, Datin Hajah Kalshom Suhaili and the wife of the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam, Datin Wan Kamariah Wan Abd Rahman. Also present were the wives of Malaysian Armed Forces' senior officers.
Yesterday morning the Welfare Body of Wives of RBAF (Bakti) and MAF (Bakat) competed in a bowling meet at the Empire Hotel & Country Club.
Meanwhile, last night Malaysian Chief of Armed Forces Laksmana Tan Sri Dato' Paduka Seri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, his wife Puan Sri Datin Hapsah Omar and other members of the delegation attended a dinner reception hosted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Present at the function were RBAF Commander Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awg Halbi Md Yussof and wife Datin Kalshom Suhaili.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, RBAF Service Commanders and Commandants as well as senior officers and staff of the Ministry of Defence.
The highlight of last night's function was presentation of prizes to winners of the golf and bowling competition held earlier in the day.
The Golf Trophy Challenge was won by the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, the RBAF Bakti bowlers defeated the MAF Bakat bowling team.
"The tournament reunion ... (was a chance for) strengthening their bonds of friendships while for others, forging new friendships (was) a perfect opportunity for the senior officers and wives," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
Before leaving the country tomorrow, the Malaysian Chief of Armed Forces will visit the Ministry of Defence.
Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia have been enjoying strong military and defence relationships.
In December 2006, Brunei hosted the 10th annual Brunei Darussalam-Malaysia Joint Defence Working Committee Meeting.
The meeting, which is held alternately by the neighbours, discussed a number of issues pertaining to bilateral defence activities through the sub-committees of various cooperation, such as intelligence, logistics, training and exercises as well as defence industry.
It was also an opportunity to exchange views on regional and international security issues.
Courtesy of --The Brunei Times, 7 January 2007