Anwar arrives in Brunei for two-day official visit

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, arrived here today for a two-day official visit to Brunei.

Anwar was accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, for his second official visit abroad since being appointed as the prime minister.

The special aircraft carrying the prime minister and his wife landed at Brunei International Airport at 3.13 pm.

Upon arrival, he was greeted by Brunei Crown Prince, Pengiran Muda Mahkota Al-Muhtadee Billah Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Anwar was accorded an official welcoming ceremony at the airport. The national anthem of Malaysia, 'Negaraku', was played, followed by Brunei Darussalam's national anthem, 'Allah Peliharakan Sultan'.

The prime minister then inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.

Also present at the airport were Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir; Foreign Ministry secretary-general, Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin and the Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei, Datuk Raja Reza Raja Zaib Shah.

Tomorrow, the Prime Minister is scheduled to have an audience with the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, at Istana Nurul Iman, followed by a four-eyed meeting between both leaders.

During the meeting, the two leaders are expected to use the opportunity to assess the progress of ongoing cooperation, to further strengthen relations and cooperation, as well as to venture new cooperation in common interest areas between the two countries.

The prime minister and the Sultan of Brunei will also witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA).

In addition, the Prime Minister is scheduled to attend a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora in Brunei tonight.

-- BERNAMA