HM Sultan Brunei Attends 26th ASEAN Summit





RACHEL THIEN
KUALA LUMPUR

Monday, April 27, 2015

HIS Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha last night joined Southeast Asian leaders for a gala dinner, ahead of their meeting today.

Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Najib Razak and his spouse hosted the dinner at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre’s banquet hall.

In his speech during the dinner, the prime minister said with this year’s theme, ‘Our People, Our Community, Our Vision’, the focus is on the creation of a ‘people-centred ASEAN’ to translate that into a tangible reality.

“A people-centred ASEAN is about the realisation of our peoples’ dreams and aspirations – for more effective and responsive governance; for higher standards of living; for strengthened environmental protection; for further empowerment of women and youth; and greater opportunities for all.”

He went on to say that over the years, governments of ASEAN member countries have signed agreements and treaties, and issued communiques, statements and declarations, and that an infrastructure for regional integration has been created.

“I am convinced that ASEAN regional integration can only truly advance once our peoples are fully involved in the process, and invested in its outcome. They must feel that they are not just part of ASEAN; but that they are ASEAN, and its future is their future,” said the prime minister.

Today marks the beginning of the 26th ASEAN Summit, which will begin with its opening ceremony, followed by the summit’s plenary session.

Realising economic integration and the South China Sea territorial dispute are expected to be discussed during the meetings.

Upon arrival, His Majesty and Her Majesty were greeted by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Chief of Protocol Dato’ Kamilan Maksom and Chief of Ceremony and Conference Secretariat Datuk Wan Hamidah Wan Ibrahim.

Before proceeding into the banquet hall, Their Majesties and ASEAN leaders were greeted by the Malaysian prime minister and his spouse, before proceeding to take a group photo.

Accompanying Their Majesties were Second Minister of Finance at the Prime Minister’s Office YB Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Rahman Hj Ibrahim, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng and Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office YB Pehin Datu Singa-manteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar.

Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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