His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah Binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman, Wednesday night attended a dinner in honour of their 3-day official visit to the Republic of Singapore.

It was hosted by President S.R Nathan and Mrs. Nathan at the Istana. Among dignitaries attending the dinner were Defence Minister Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean and Mrs Teo, and National Development Minister, Mr. Mah Bow Tan and Mrs. Mah. Prior to the dinner, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince held a meeting with Minister Mentor, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

On the first day of Their Royal Highnesses visit to Singapore Wednesday, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah went on separate programmes.

His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah began the day's itinerary by visiting the Headquarters of the Singapore Ministry of Defence. On arrival His Royal Highness was welcomed by the Defence Minister, Rear-Admiral Teo Chee Hean. Shortly after arrival, His Royal Highness consented to inspect the guard of honor mounted by forty eight personnel of the Singapore military police. At the headquarters, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince consented to sign the visitors' book.

His Royal Highness then consented to receive a call from the Singapore Defence Minister Rear-Admiral Teo Chee Hean. Also present was Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Muda Qawi. After the call, His Royal Highness consented to attend a series of briefings on Singapore's Defence Policy.

In the afternoon, His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah consented to visit the Changi Naval Base. On arrival His Royal Highness was greeted by Defence Minister Rear Admiral Teo Chee Hean, Chief of Singapore Navy, Rear Admiral Ronnie Tay, Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Ng Yat Chung and Fleet Commander Colonel Chew Men Leong.

Shortly after arrival, His Royal Highness consented to inspect the guard of honour mounted by 28 personnel of the Changi Defence Squadron. Before starting the visit, His Royal Highness Prince General Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah consented to attend a working luncheon hosted by the Minister of Defence.

The luncheon took place at the Fleet Command Centre, Changi Naval Base. During the visit, His Royal Highness also consented to sign the visitors book and receive a pesambah. After the luncheon, His Royal Highness heard a briefing on the history of the Singapore Navy and Changi Naval Base and toured the facilities and equipment at the Naval Base. His Royal Highness also consented to board the RSS Chieftain Submarine and Landing Ship Tank RSS Persistence.

Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah Binti Pengiran Salleh Ab Rahaman meanwhile began her programme with a guided city tour. Throughout the tour Her Royal Highness was accompanied by the wife of Singapore Defence Minister, Mrs. Teo Chee Hean and wife of the Brunei High Commissioner to Singapore, Datin Sri Wahyu Ningsih.

In the afternoon, Her Royal Highness graced a luncheon hosted by the wife of the Singapore Minister of Defence. Also present were the wife of Singapore High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam and the wife of the Brunei High Commissioner to Singapore.

Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah continued her programme in the afternoon by visiting the Asian Civilisations Museum. Her Royal Highness was greeted upon arrival by the Director of the Museum, Doctor Kenson Kwok. Her Royal Highness was accompanied by the wife of the Brunei High Commissioner to Singapore, Datin Sri Wahyu Ningsih. During the tour,

Her Royal Highness visited Southeast Asia Gallery, West Asia Gallery and Kebaya Exhibition. Before leaving the museum, Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Sarah consented to receive a pesambah.

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolqiah Wednesday afternoon consented to launch a new book at the Chancellor Hall of University Brunei Darussalam. Upon arrival, Her Royal Highness was greeted by the Deputy Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Awang Haji Suyoi and Vice Chancellor of UBD, Doctor Haji Ismail.

The ceremony began with the recitation of Surah Al Fatihah. The UBD's Vice Chancellor, in his capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the project, in his welcoming speech said the book contains an introductory chapter on Brunei forests, their geographical affinities, endemism and evolutionary history as well as instructions on tree identification.

Her Royal Highness then launched the new book entitled “A Field Guide to the Forest Trees of Brunei Darussalam and the Northwest Borneo Hotspot, Volume One”. The newly launched 281-page guide includes a glossary, which explains and defines the technical terms which are used in the accounts of the plants. Her Royal Highness also received a souvenir from the organising committee. To bless the ceremony, doa selamat was read by Pehin Dato Haji Awang Suhaili.

The 1st National Shooting Championship 2005 continues today for Men and Women Skeet with seventy-five clays. Wednesday afternoon saw the final event for Men and Women Double Trap at the Jerudong Shooting Range. Present to watch the final events was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the President of the Brunei National Olympic Council.

The final Double Trap for Women was won by Hajah Norsah Haji Abu Talip from the Youth and Sport Department. She collected sixty seven points and defeated two other shooters from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. Meanwhile, in the Men Double Trap Final, Saiful Rezal Japar from the Prison Department emerged as the champion by collecting one hundred and thirty-three points. He defeated four other contenders from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces as well as his teammate also from the Prison Department.

In order to upgrade its service and realise its vision to become a world class provider of public safety, the Fire Service Department has acquired ten fire vehicles to become the latest additions to its existing fleet.

The new vehicles are six Ford Rangers, two Ford Escapes, a Holden Commodore and one accident unit vehicle. The multi-purpose Ford Ranger is facilitated with a pump-driven unit which functions to put out minor fires such as in a room, or bush fires. The Ford Escape and the Holden function as command vehicles in any mishaps.

Meanwhile, the accident unit vehicle is to be used in rescue operations during accidents, fire and any other kind of emergency cases. The sprinkling of scented water on the newly acquired vehicles was conducted by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Idris.

The Fire Service Department has undertaken a number of initiatives in order to safeguard the safety of the public, in line with its motto "Creating a Safer Tomorrow".

Royal Brunei Airlines' Business Class has been ranked 5th out of 21 airlines in the Asian region for the year 2004. This is a marked improvement from 16th position in 2003.

In its 2004 survey of airline services worldwide, Skytrax, the world's best known and most recognized independent assessor of airline quality has positioned RBA's Business Class behind Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Qantas and All Nippon Airways and ahead of other Asian carriers including Malaysia Airlines, Japan Airlines, Thai International, Air New Zealand and Korean Air.

Meanwhile, in a ranking of 66 airlines surveyed world wide, RBA is placed 9th. The ranking is based on a comprehensive survey of all aspects of airlines service.