IN CONJUNCTION with the 35th National Day of Brunei Darussalam, foreign envoys conveyed their greetings to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and the people of Brunei Darussalam.
Emad bin Abdul Aziz bin Saad Al Muhanna, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Brunei Darussalam
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Crown Prince, Vice President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; the Government and People of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Brunei Darussalam, I am pleased to extend our sincerest congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; the royal family members, the Government and people of Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the National Day of Brunei Darussalam.
As I recently arrived in Brunei Darussalam, I trust that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Brunei Darussalam would further augment and strengthen the close and friendly relations, further develop the stability, security and prosperity of our two countries that give us the driving force to achieve common vision and understanding in realising our common goal which is beneficial to our people and nations.
As we celebrate Brunei Darussalam’s 35th National Day, I pray to Allah the Almighty for continued good health and happiness for His Majesty, as well as continued progress, peace and prosperity for the people of Brunei Darussalam.
Motohiko Kato, Ambassador of Japan to Brunei Darussalam
On the occasion of the 35th National Day of Brunei Darussalam, I would like to convey my warmest wishes, and those of the Government and people of Japan, to His Majesty, and to the people of Brunei Darussalam.
Brunei and Japan have enjoyed excellent relations ever since the former achieved independence in 1984.
The close bond between our two nations is reflected in the relationship between the Brunei royal family and the imperial family of Japan. His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has visited the Emperor of Japan many times, and the two monarchs maintain a close personal friendship.
On this note, Japan is about to enter a new era with the abdication of our emperor and the coronation of the new emperor. On May 1, 2019, we will celebrate the succession of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince as Emperor and Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess as Empress. The Crown Prince has already formed strong bonds with His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the
Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, attending His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah’s wedding in 2004 and maintaining a warm friendship since that time.
In the sphere of economics, many Japanese companies have chosen to invest in Brunei, and are now currently thriving. A new project has been launched to produce liquefied hydrogen as a clean-energy source – one which does not release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Construction will be concluded by the end of the year. Japan is always ready to assist Bruneians to use clean energy and preserve the incredible natural beauty of this nation. And, of course, the people and Government of Japan have always been deeply grateful to the people of Brunei for their generosity in supporting our energy security, since 1972.
More and more Bruneians are visiting Japan these days to experience our rich culture, cuisine and history.
This is likely to further increase with the arrival of direct RB flights between Bandar Seri Begawan and Tokyo, beginning in March.
Spring is the perfect time to visit Japan so that you can see the beautiful cherry blossoms in full bloom and I hope that more Japanese people will come to visit Brunei to enjoy the rich culture and traditions of this country.
To celebrate Japanese culture with a Bruneian audience, three important cultural events will be organised in the coming months.
First, we have the Japanese film festival at the end of February. Secondly, we have our Japanese Language and Culture Week at the beginning of March, and finally we have the Japanese Speech Contest on March 13. So please, do come and join us.
The Government of Japan has always supported sports in Brunei, and Bruneian athletes have been invited to Japan for training as part of the JENESYS programme. This programme is one of many programmes run by the Government of Japan to encourage the development of closer relationships between Japan and other nations and last year saw the arrival of the ship ‘Nippon Maru’ in Brunei.
This ship was travelling around the region as part of the SSEAYP programme, with participants from ASEAN member countries and Japan taking part in numerous activities of cultural exchange, further deepening the vital connections between young people of this area.
In 2020, Japan will host the next Summer Olympics and Paralympics, attended by athletes from all over the world.
It is my sincere hope that many of the young people of Brunei will participate in these games. The Bruneian Olympic Team will be warmly welcomed by the Japanese people when they come to Tokyo to participate.
I would like to once again thank the people of Brunei for their wonderful friendship with Japan, and may Brunei Darussalam continue to be blessed with lasting happiness and prosperity.
Yu Hong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Brunei Darussalam
On this auspicious occasion of the 35th National Day of Brunei Darussalam, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Brunei Darussalam and in my own name, I would like to express my warmest congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty, as well as the Government and people of Brunei Darussalam.
Under the wise leadership of His Majesty for more than half a century, Brunei Darussalam has enjoyed peace and prosperity, harmony and stability, and great improvement of people’s livelihood and played a constructive role in regional and international affairs.
The friendship between China and Brunei Darussalam goes back a long way and the bilateral relations is getting closer. With the care and support of the leaders of our two countries, we have deepened political trust, steadily advanced practical cooperation and increased people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
All my colleagues and I at Chinese Embassy look forward to working with the Bruneian side to consolidate and enrich China-Brunei Strategic Cooperative Partnership, bring more benefits to both peoples, and promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.
May His Majesty enjoy good health. May Brunei Darussalam enjoy greater prosperity, and its people happiness and well-being.
Lim Hong Huai, High Commissioner of Singapore to Brunei Darussalam
I have great pleasure to convey my warmest congratulations to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, as well as the people of Brunei on this auspicious occasion of Brunei Darussalam’s 35th National Day.
His Majesty’s Proclamation of Independence on January 1, 1984 was a defining moment in Brunei’s history. Guided by His Majesty’s wise leadership, Brunei has enjoyed rapid progress and achieved high standards of education and living for its people, who have shown great and sincere warmth towards His Majesty. Externally, His Majesty has cemented Brunei’s position as an integral member of ASEAN and a responsible player in the international community. His Majesty has also been a keen advocate for regional economic integration, and Singapore and Brunei have cooperated closely at various regional and multilateral fora such as ASEAN, APEC and the United Nations.
I am confident that the special relations between Singapore and Brunei will continue to grow in strength under the guidance of His Majesty. Built on mutual trust between our leaders and a common understanding of the challenges we face as small countries, our partnership spans many sectors such as defence, finance, and education. Our cooperation is anchored by key mechanisms such as the Currency Interchangeability Agreement and regular exchange of views. Both countries could explore new potential areas of economic cooperation such as high-technology agriculture and aquaculture. Last year, at His Majesty’s invitation, President Halimah Yacob made Brunei the destination of her first State Visit. With close links between our peoples, businesses, and agencies, Singapore and Brunei can continue to work and prosper together to reach new heights.
Once again, I would like to congratulate all Bruneians on the joyous occasion of your 35th National Day.
Ajaneesh Kumar, High Commissioner of India to Brunei Darussalam
It is my singular honour and privilege to greet His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the members of the royal family and the people of Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of Brunei’s 35th National Day.
India and Brunei have a historical connection and enjoy a very healthy and robust relationship, starting from the very beginning of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries in May 1984. The relationship has been marked by frequent visits from either sides including at the highest level; the last being that of His Majesty’s visit to India in January 2018 to participate in the ASEAN-India Special Commemorative Summit. Over the years, people to people contact has increased and ministers, officials and nationals including tourists have visited each other’s countries. Many have met and interacted at regional and multilateral fora.
The Joint Trade Committee (JTC) met in September 2018 in Bandar Seri Begawan and discussed the modalities and avenues for the road ahead leading to greater and diversified economic engagements between our two countries. This would be in total conformity to His Majesty’s Brunei Vision 2035, to contribute to the diversification of the local economy.
I am confident that with His Majesty’s continued support, India and Brunei’s relations across all spectrum will continue to prosper and grow.
A strong Indian diaspora of approximately 11,000 Indian nationals are residing in Brunei and playing a pivotal role in their respective vocations. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to His Majesty and His Majesty’s government for providing them the enabling environment and opportunities to live and work in Brunei and contribute to its socio-economic development.
So, on this auspicious occasion let me join members of the Indian High Commission in Brunei Darussalam and the Indian diaspora in Brunei to extend our collective best wishes for His Majesty’s health and well-being and peace, progress and success for the friendly people of Brunei Darussalam.
Scott Woodard, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the United States in Brunei Darussalam
On behalf of the people of the United States of America, it is my special privilege to offer warm wishes to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and to the people of the entire nation as they celebrate Brunei’s 35th National Day.
It has been an honour and a pleasure living in Brunei, experiencing its unique culture and the hospitality of its people as well as observing the dedication of its government officials. I would like to commend His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s leadership of this country and the goodwill towards the United States.
The United States looks forward to strengthening and expanding our bilateral relationship, and working together towards growing peace and prosperity.
As the nation celebrates this joyous occasion, I wish the people of Brunei Darussalam, Selamat Menyambut Hari Kebangsaan Brunei Darussalam ke 35!
Sheikh Ahmed bin Hashel bin Rashed bin Hashel Al-Maskari, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to Brunei Darussalam
On the happy occasion of the 35th National Day of Brunei Darussalam, it is my honour to extend, on behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said and the people of the Sultanate of Oman, the warmest congratulations and best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, members of the royal family, and the Government and people of Brunei Darussalam.
Under the wise vision of His Majesty, Brunei Darussalam witnessed an inspiring transformation into a prosperous country with a bright future.
Brunei today holds a unique position in the international arena as a peace-loving country with a determined resolve to pursue the path of progress.
Thus, it is evidently clear that the enduring peace and stability as well as the distinct recognition that Brunei continues to enjoy are testimonies to His Majesty’s wise leadership.
We are therefore confident that Brunei will prosper further and achieve even greater levels of success on all fronts, under the astute leadership of His Majesty.
On a related note, as we commemorate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the Sultanate of Oman and Brunei Darussalam, we are happy to observe that bilateral relations between the two Sultanates continued to gain momentum and diversity and we are confident that our joint efforts to scale new heights will create an even brighter future for Oman-Brunei relations.
The thriving bilateral relations between our two brotherly countries have witnessed practical manifestations in the fields of education, health, defence and culture, such as festivals, international book fairs, cultural days, defence-oriented training programmes, university level scholarships and Arabic languages short courses.
In the years to come, we have every reason to believe that the bilateral cooperation between our two brotherly countries will be more fruitful and the friendship between our peoples will be stronger.
May His Majesty enjoy perfect health and happiness. At the same time, we raise our hands in supplication to Allah the Almighty to bless the beautiful Adobe of Peace and its faithful people with peace, harmony and prosperity.
Yoon Hyun-bong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam
On the occasion of the 35th National Day celebration of Brunei Darussalam, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, on behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Korea (ROK).
Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1984, we have developed close ties in all areas, especially in energy, infrastructure, and people-to-people exchanges.
2019 will mark a more special year as Brunei is the coordinator between the ROK and ASEAN for three years from August 2018. I believe that the relation between the two countries will be upgraded during this period.
Moreover, since the ROK and ASEAN Commemorative Summit will be held in Korea this year, the two countries need to communicate and cooperate more closely than ever to make it a success.
Last month, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha visited Brunei to have a bilateral talk with Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof, during which the two top diplomats took note of the advances in bilateral relations, and discussed ways to step up substantive ROK-Brunei and ROK-ASEAN cooperations, as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula. She also met with the Bruneian youth who studied in Korea under the Korean government scholarship programme.
I am happy to see that people from both countries understand each other better and visits from both sides are more frequent than ever. Many Bruneians love Korean music and drama, and Koreans are becoming more attracted to Brunei’s clean and amazing natural environment. Thanks to this increased exchanges between the two countries, direct flights will be added from three times to four times a week starting this April. Initially it was two times a week when it started in 2016 as a chartered flight.
We still have more things to share and strengthen in various areas. There will be more high-officials exchanges this year, and the Korean Embassy will host more events under the New Southern Policy, which is one of the Korean government’s major foreign strategies.
Once again, in commemoration of the 35th National Day celebration of Brunei Darussalam, I extend my cordial congratulations and best wishes of health and happiness to His Majesty and the people of Brunei Darussalam.
Dr Sujatmiko, Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam
On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Indonesia, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and to extend our best wishes to His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and the Government and the people of Brunei Darussalam on the joyful occasion of the 35th National Day today.
As Brunei reaches 35 years of its independence, I have noted significant development in various sectors of the country. The country continues to provide high standard of education and health for its citizens as shown in its 39th rank in Human Development Index, placing it in high human development level. Brunei is continuously improving its Ease of Doing Business ranking, where in 2019, it rose to 55th from 56th last year. In international forum, we always find Brunei as an important partner in preserving peace, security and stability at regional and international levels.
We are also heartened to witness Brunei’s constant and quick response to major disasters and conflict areas by delivering humanitarian assistance, particularly in Indonesia. This includes the recent tsunami and earthquake disaster in Sulawesi where Bruneian government and people organised Disaster Humanitarian Fund (TKBS), a humanitarian fund to aid victims in Sulawesi, amounting to BND533,189.55 in only three months of collection period.
In this regard, I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to His Majesty and the people of Brunei Darussalam for their benevolence. These contributions surely help ease the suffering of survivors.
It is only natural for Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, which are neighbours in Borneo island, to establish long-lasting and strong relationship based on shared aspects of social, culture, religion, and so on. But we have to make sure such relationship brings benefits to both our peoples.
The visit of His Majesty to Indonesia in May 2018 has presented an impetus in amplifying economic and trade cooperation between the two countries notably through enhancing connectivity, investment, and tourism.
I am confident that Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam’s relations will continue to flourish and develop for both countries to face many global challenges including the 4.0 Industrial Revolution.