His Majesty was greeted on arrival at the Tasek Lama Recreational Park by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan; the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad and the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng. 

His Majesty and the Malaysian Prime Minister highlighted the need for both countries to continue working together in facilitating and creating a more conducive business environment especially for the business communities of Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak. Other areas touched by the two leaders were the airlines and tourism industries.  The leaders discussed the long standing issue of maritime delimitation on which both sides had put forward new proposals, and agreed on the need to resolve the matter urgently.  On another issue, the two leaders noted the signing of the Heart of Borneo Declaration which they had endorsed during the ASEAN Summit in Cebu City, Philippines earlier this year and reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate in the trans-boundary management of forest resources and conservation of a network of protected areas, productive forests and other sustainable land uses.  They also look forward to the forthcoming BIMP-EAGA summit in November 2007 in Singapore.

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Abdullah explained that Brunei has expressed interest to participate in the South Economic projects initiated by Malaysia which include Johore, Sabah and Sarawak.  Malaysia, he said, welcomed Brunei’s participation in its economic development.  The Prime Minister also touched on the issues of Frequent Travellers Card between both countries.

From Kampung Ayer, the visitors went to the Royal Regalia Building that houses a variety of items inherited from generation to generation as a glorious symbol of Brunei Darussalam’s Royal Heritage.  Yang Amat Berbahagia Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah also donated B$20,000 to the Brunei Muara District Charity Fund.

Present at the function were the Minister of Communications, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abu Bakar and the Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Dato Seri Paduka Eussoff Agaki.  Two papers were presented entitled ‘Amalan Khurafat’ or ‘Fiction Practice’ and ‘Unsur-Unsur Penyelewengan Dalam Kes-Kes Perbomohan’ or ‘Deviation Practice by Medicine-Man’ in Brunei Darussalam.  A mini exhibition is also being held on various materials used for deviation practices, fossils, and astronomy as well as sale of books on religious teachings.  The exhibition is opened for three days starting Tuesday.

Among those present were the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Retired Major General Pehin Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Mohammad, the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Awang Lim Jock Seng, Deputy Minister of Industry and Primary Resources and Deputy Minister of Development.

Awang Haji Ahmad bin Haji Abdul Rahman said an inspiration will transform a piece of literature and to produce a masterpiece requires the author to have a wider understanding of the nation and culture.  Among writers receiving the Bahana Creative Prize is Pehin Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Ghani for his poem entitled “Demi Masa”. 

Brunei Shell Petroleum Company has since 1999 been involved in this activity in terms of finance or other contributions.   The gathering also witnessed the launching of a book of poetry collection by Awang Haji Moksin bin Haji Abdul Kadir.

Pengiran Haji Yasmin said BSM has prepared a few petroleum station service guidelines to increase the knowledge and skills of the station’s management and entrepreneurs. The petroleum station owned by 3PSM has been re-opened this month after not operating over a period of time.

Present at the Brunei International Airport to bid farewell was the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religion Affairs, Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Rahman and its Deputy Permanent Secretary, Dato Paduka Haji Ishaaq.  The competition will be held from the 16th until 23rd of this month.