His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Muizzaddien Wadaullah, the Sultan and Yang Di-pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, together with the other leaders attending the just concluded Asia-Africa Summit was in Bandung to grace the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the first conference. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-pertuan of Brunei Darussalam left Jakarta for Bandung in West Java by CN 235 Royal Brunei Armed Forces aircraft piloted by personnel from the Fifth Squadron of RBAF. The flight, early Sunday morning took about half an hour.

On arrival at the Husein Sastaranegara Airport in Bandung, His Majesty was met by the Vice Governor of West Java, Tuan Haji Nu'man Hakim. Also with His Majesty is His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam. On arrival at the Savoy Homann Hotel, His Majesty was greeted by Bapak Dani Setiawan.

Here, His Majesty and other leaders gathered in an occasion which was part of this historic event. The hotel itself bore witness to the similar gathering of leaders in 1955.The colourful gathering in the heart of Bandung was purposely held to reminisce what happened fifty years ago - the decision of 29 leaders to resolve the issue of freedom from colonialism, which impacted the political landscape of Asia and Africa. As His Majesty and his colleagues stepped out from Savoy Hotel, they were in fact re-enacting the historic walk to the Gedong Merdeka or the Hall of Independence. The short walk which took about ten minutes was the actual path taken by the leaders fifty years ago. Every step that they took was measured by the sum total of the founding fathers' sacrifices for their sons and daughters in Asia and Africa. The historic walk was led by the President of Indonesia, Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The Hall of Independence witnessed the proceedings, which were the spin off of the hard work of the past leaders. His Majesty, one of those new generation of leaders, was seated in this hall side by side with the President of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Hu Jintao who was in Brunei Darussalam before going to Indonesia.

In the first summit there were less than thirty leaders, but today more than one hundred attended the second summit.President Bambang Yudhoyono in his speech recalled the hard work done by the past leaders in building the foundation of the Asia-Africa relationship. Apart from rekindling the spirit of the first conference, the ceremony also formalised the declaration of the leaders on the New Asia-African Strategic Partnership. This can be regarded as the road-map to progress for Asia-Africa.

Taman Tegalega has become the latest witness to the enhancement in relations between Asia and Africa. Here at the Taman, His Majesty and the other leaders were only too happy to plant and water the trees that symbolically reflect the nurturing of Asia-Africa relations. The President of Indonesia, Dr. Bambang Yudhoyono sounded a siren marking the start of a new chapter in the relationship among nations in the two continents.

His Majesty then together with other Asian and African leaders attended a luncheon hosted by the President and the Governor of West Java at his official residence. Accompanying His Majesty at the luncheon was His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bolkiah. His Majesty and delegation returned to Jakarta in the same aircraft.

The closing ceremony of the Asian-African Summit was held in Jakarta on Saturday. The next summit will be held in South Africa in the next four years.

Several religious activities were held Sunday in conjunction with the birthday anniversary of the Prophet Mohammad SAW. One such activity was the final of Dikir Syarafil Anam Competition, which took place in the Belait district.The Prison Department dikir group emerged as the champion after defeating six other groups. The group presented the 'Khairuman Dikir'.

The competition is the annual project of the Ministry of Home Affairs. This year, it was co-organised by the Belait District Office and the Belait and Seria Municipal Board. Present were the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Paduka Awang Haji Adnan and the Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry and the Belait District Officer.

Holding meetings and discussions or 'Muzakarah' between village residents and its consultative council should become a continuous culture for both sides to develop together the socio-economy of the village residents. The Acting Tutong District Officer made the remarks Sunday at the 3rd Annual Meeting for Koperasi Dataran Gong Tiga of the Kampung Lamunin Consultative Council, KODRAT.

Awang Wardi bin Haji Mohamad Ali further said that with the annual meeting being held continuously, both consultative council and village residents are able to take a broader step toward conducting any projects and welfare activities that are beneficial to the community. He then presented certificates to members of the KODRAT Cooperative Board of Directors for

the 1999 to 2005 session. The function took place at the Kampung Lamunin Community Hall.