HIS MAJESTY Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, started yesterday his working visit to Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.

His Majesty arrived on Monday at the Subang Airport accompanied by 15 senior government officers. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak greeted His Majesty upon arrival at about 6pm. Shortly after touching down at Terminal Three of the airport, the Sultan inspected a guard-of-honour mounted by 20 men from the First Royal Malay Regiment from the Sungai Besi Camp.

The two-day visit kicked off with an early morning horse-riding session at the Putrajaya Equestrian Park in Putrajaya, a fair distance from the hustle and bustle of busy Kuala Lumpur. His Majesty was the first foreign head of state to grace the park with his presence, accompanied by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin. Later in the afternoon, His Majesty met with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, personally greeting the Prime Minister of Malaysia at the front door of Rumah Awang Alak Betatar in the city. Among those present during the audience were the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Hj Halbi Hj Md Yussof, and Deputy Minister of Defence, Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Paduka Hj Mohammad Yasmin Hj Umar. Also present was the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Brunei Darussalam, Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari.

In the evening, His Majesty consented to attend an official banquet hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak held at the Emerald Room of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Also present were the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of

Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin and Raja Permaisuri Tuanku Nur Zahirah. Day two of the visit will see His Majesty in Johor as he visits the Iskandar Camp in Mersing.

The Brunei Times