Audience Ceremony with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia

Audience Ceremony with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia

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, received in audience His Excellency Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia. The Audience Ceremony was held at Istana Nurul Iman, 29th April afternoon.

His Excellency is in Brunei Darussalam to attend the 25th ASEAN-European Union Ministerial Meeting, which was held in Bandar Seri Begawan from 27th to 28th April, as well as to make an Official Visit from 29th to 30th April to discuss bilateral relations between Brunei Darussalam and Cambodia.

Accompanying His Excellency were His Excellency Ouk Sorphorn, Secretary of State and Chief of the Cabinet of His Excellency Prak Sokhonn; His Excellency Hun Saroeun, Under Secretary of State; His Excellency Chey Ratha; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cambodia to Brunei Darussalam; and Dr. Lay Chanrasmey, Deputy Director General, General Department of Asia-Pacific.

His Majesty received in audience His Excellency Prak Sokhonn. Also present were Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohammad Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Dato Seri Paduka Awang Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
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Conferment of State Honorary Medals in conjunction with His Majesty’s 79th Birthday Celebration

Conferment of State Honorary Medals in conjunction with His Majesty’s 79th Birthday Celebration

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, conferred Brunei Darussalam State Honorary Medals to 693 recipients. The conferment of the medals was in conjunction with His Majesty’s 79th Birthday celebration. The ceremony took place at Balai Singgahsana Indera Kenchana, Istana Nurul Iman, 29th April morning. His Majesty’s son, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office officiated the conferment of the State Honorary Medals as His Majesty’s personal representative. Also in attendance were His Majesty’s sons, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.

The ceremony began with the conferment of the PINGAT JASA KEBAKTIAN or Meritorious Service Medal, PJK to 30 recipients from the Ministry of Defence and a recipient from the private sector with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. 

600 recipients received the Pingat Indah Kerja Baik, or Excellent Service Medal, PIKB comprising officers and staff of His Majesty’s Office; Prime Minister’s Office; Ministry of Defence; Ministry of Finance and Economy; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Religious Affairs; Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.

The PINGAT PAHLAWAN PERIWARA, PP, was conferred to 61 officers from the Ministry of Defence.

While, the PINGAT PENGLIMA LASGAR, PL was conferred to 2 officers from the Ministry of Defence.

Doa Selamat was read by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia Doctor Ustaz Awang Haji Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
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Audience Ceremony with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

Audience Ceremony with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission

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 received in audience Her Excellency Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, who is in the country for a two-day visit. The Audience Ceremony took place at Istana Nurul Iman, 27th April afternoon.

This marks Her Excellency’s inaugural visit to Brunei Darussalam on the occasion of the 25th ASEAN-European Union (EU) Ministerial Meeting, hosted by Brunei as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations from 2024 – 2027. The meeting is expected to discuss on ways to advance the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership across priority areas, as well as exchange views on regional and international matters of mutual importance to both sides. Brunei and the EU share a close working relationship through various multilateral platforms including the ASEAN Regional Forum and the Asia-Europe Meeting, in which both sides have good cooperation in the fields of trade and investment as well as security. Accompanying Her Excellency during the Audience Ceremony were His Excellency Denis Chaibi, Non-Resident EU Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam; Michal Safianik, Member of Cabinet of the High Representative High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission; Erik Kurzweil, Managing Director for Asia and Pacific, European External Action Service and Romain Seignovert, Communication Expert, European External Action Service. Also present were Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd. Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Awang Mohd Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yunos, Deputy Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
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The National Musabaqah Al-Qur’an Reading for Adult 1447H/2026

The National Musabaqah Al-Qur’an Reading for Adult 1447H/2026

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince graces the opening of the Final of the National Musabaqah Al-Qur’an Reading for Adults 1447 Hijrah/2026 at the International Convention Centre in Berakas, 27th April early evening. Also in attendance was His Royal Highness’ brother, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik.

Upon arrival, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was greeted by Yang Berhormat Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman, Minister of Religious Affairs; Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy; Yang Berhormat Datin Seri Setia Doctor Dayang Hajah Romaizah binti Haji Mohd Salleh, Minister of Education and Yang Berhormat Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha, Minister of Transport and Infocommunication.

The ceremony began with the reading of Surah Al-Fatihah led by Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Paduka Seri Utama Dato Paduka Seri Setia Haji Awang Salim bin Haji Besar.

In his welcoming remarks, the Minister of Religious Affairs among other things touched on the theme of this year’s competition and the efforts of various parties to implement the learning of Al-Qur’an to ensure that the country’s generations will remain familiar with Al-Qur’an.

The National Musabaqah Al-Qur’an Reading is held for 3 consecutive nights. The first night saw 6 participants presenting their readings. This year’s Musabaqah carries the theme ‘Mengukuhkan Pembelajaran Al-Qur’an dan Menghayati Ajarannya’ or Strengthening Al-Quran Learning and Internalising Its Teachings.  The annual competition, jointly organised by the Ministry of Religious Affairs; the Prime Minister’s Office; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications; and Datastream Digital (DST) Sendirian Berhad, will continue on 28th April night, with 6 more participants presenting their readings.

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
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Asia Zero Emissions Community Plus Leaders’ Summit

Asia Zero Emissions Community Plus Leaders’ Summit

The ongoing fuel supply disruptions have reinforced the importance of energy efficiency and fuel affordability as core national policies. Brunei Darussalam, though relatively well-positioned, is not insulated from these effects, as price volatility affects households and industries alike. The matter was shared by the Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Defence while attending the Asia Zero Emissions Community Plus, AZEC PLUS Leaders’ Summit via online.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Retired Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof said Brunei Darussalam supports a measured approach and remains committed to accelerating alternative energy resources including renewable energy at a pace aligned with its national circumstances while continuing investment in oil and gas. As a stable and trusted energy producer, the country stressed that any regional initiative must be inclusive, balanced, mutually beneficial, and respectful of each country’s national energy security.

The Summit was chaired by Her Excellency Sanae Takaichi, Prime Minister of Japan, who highlighted that the countries most affected by the supply chain disruptions are those in the Asian region, and called for stronger regional cooperation in addressing energy security challenges. The Prime Minister announced that AZEC is to be further developed, incorporating economic and energy resilience by integrating decarbonisation, economic growth, and energy security. The country’s participation in the Summit reflects its continued commitment to support regional cooperation while safeguarding national energy security and economic stability. Also joining was Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd Hanifah, Deputy Minister for Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office.

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
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Board of Directors Meeting of BLNG & BGC

Board of Directors Meeting of BLNG & BGC

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 in a titah acknowledged the strong performance demonstrated by Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad, BLNG; and Brunei Gas Carriers Sendirian Berhad, BGC in 2025, particularly in operational excellence, financial resilience and commitment towards safety.

In this regard, His Majesty emphasised that importance of sustaining this momentum for the rest of 2026 particularly as the global energy landscape is currently marked by geopolitical uncertainty and volatility in oil prices. His Majesty highlighted that these external pressures require vigilance, resilience and prudent judgment at all levels of the organisation. His Majesty also emphasised the need to adopt a long-term perspective in all matters of significance, which extends beyond immediate market cycles and short-term fluctuations.

His Majesty made the titah while chairing the 229th Board of Directors Meeting of BLNG and the 115th Board of Meeting of BGC for the First Quarter of 2026. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was greeted by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Doctor Awang Haji Mohd. Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Finance and Economy, and Dato Seri Paduka Awang Haji Mohamad Azmi bin Haji Mohd. Hanifah, Deputy Minister for Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office, in their capacity as members of the BLNG and BGC Board of Directors. The meeting commenced with a recitation of Doa. The meeting discussed key areas such as safety, operational performance, financials, manpower development, and setting the company’s strategic direction for both BLNG and BGC. The meeting was also attended by key stakeholders including Shareholder Directors representing the Government of His Majesty, Shell PLC and Mitsubishi Corporation, as well as members of the respective Management from BLNG and BGC. His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam will also chair the 418th Meeting of the Board of Directors of Brunei Shell Petroleum Sdn Bhd (BSP) and the 196th Meeting of the Board of Directors of Brunei Shell Marketing Sdn Bhd (BSM) for the First Quarter of 2026, 23rd April 2026.

News courtesy of Radio Television Brunei
Photo courtesy of InfoFoto