His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddien Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam, reaffirmed the close, long-existing relations between Brunei and Malaysia.
The Monarch expressed hope that the friendly relations between the two nations would be further enhanced. His Majesty delivered the titah last night at the Royal Banquet, in honour of Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong Al-Mu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah, who were on a three-day state visit to Brunei Darussalam. The Royal Banquet took place at the Istana Darul Hana.
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Accompanying Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and Seri Paduka Baginda Permaisuri Agong, from the hotel where the royal guests resided to the Istana Darul Hana, was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah as a Royal Family Member in-Attendance. Upon arrival at the Istana Datul Hana, the Malaysian Royalties were received by His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam.
Shortly after their arrival, there was a Call-On Ceremony between the two Royal Families.
Following the Call-On Ceremony, there was an exchange of gifts between His Majesty and Her Majesty Raja Isteri with Yang Dipertuan Agong and Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia. Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong Al-Mu'tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah is 84 years-old. This is the second time Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Abdul Halim has been selected as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong after being selected the first time on the 21st of September 1970, for a 5-year term, that ended on the 20th of September 1975.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Dipertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri together with Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong dan Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong then proceeded to the Banquet Hall for the . Also present were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahman; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince 'Abdul Malik; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bulqiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bulqiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam; as well as other members of the Royal Family.
Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong of Malaysia's entourage included His Royal Highness Tunku Temenggong Kedah, Dato' Seri Diraja Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin; Her Royal Highness Toh Puan Temenggong Kedah, Datin Seri Diraja Puan Sri Dato' Tengku Maliha; Her Royal Highness Tunku Panglima Besar Kedah, Dato' Seri Diraja Tunku Puteri Intan Shafinaz; Her Royal Highness Dato' Seri Diraja Tunku Soraya; and His Royal Highness Raja Kechil Besar Perak, Raja Dato' Seri Iskander Zulkarnain.
Also present were the Minister of Education, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Doctor Haji Awang Abu Bakar, as the Minister-in-Attendance, and Datin Paduka Hajah Jahrah; Minister of Federal Territories and Urban Well Being of Malaysia, the Honourable Senator Dato' Raja Nong Chik, Yang Berbahagia Datin Nafesah; the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Dato' Seri Abdullah Sani Omar, and Yang Berbahagia Datin Adeda Rahimah.
Doa Selamat was read by the State Mufti, Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Doktor Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned.
His Majesty, in his titah, said that His Majesty himself, Her Majesty the Raja Isteri and the whole of the Brunei population warmly welcomed the visit of Their Majesties Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong and Seri Paduka Baginda Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia.
His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam expressed happiness at the level of cooperation between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong of Malaysia, in his response, said that bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia which have long been established have now developed, covering many areas. The commitment of both countries to solving various outstanding issues has also resulted in encouraging outcomes, including the issue of land and maritime boundaries. His Majesty also touched on the trade relations between the two ASEAN neighbours. Seri Paduka Yang Dipertuan Agong said the bilateral trade relations between Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam in 2011 had shown a growth of thirteen point seven percent in trade value compared to the previous year. Seri Paduka Yang Dipertuan Agong is confident that this figure would increase in the coming years given the continued efforts and initiatives undertaken by both countries in engaging in and exploring high value sectors of mutual interest. Toward improving its economy, Malaysia has introduced various progressive and high value investment opportunities through several programmes, including the Economic Transformation Programme. Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong most welcomes Brunei Darussalam's aspiration to increase investment in Malaysia, while at the same time encourages Malaysian companies in continuing to cooperate with Brunei Darussalam in its efforts to diversify its economy.
Bilateral ties between Brunei and Malaysia has been long establish. Both are muslim countries and very close, and has similarity in many aspects. This includes, in terms of family relations, friendship, discussions and more over in the field of trade and investment. There are currently forty-five Brunei Malaysia joint-venture companies. These companies have embarked on several projects which are now completed and operational under Brunei Industrial Development Authority, BINA. The total joint investment value is ninety eight million dollar.