BALI

HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday departed Bali after attending the Seventh Bali Democracy Forum.

Sending off His Majesty at the Ngurah Rai International Airport were Indonesian Minister of Education and Culture Prof Ir H Mohammad Nuh and Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Nurul Qomar.

Also present at the airport were Brigadier General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Hj Mahmud Hj Saidin, Brunei ambassador to Indonesia, and officers from the Brunei Embassy in Indonesia.

Prior to leaving St Regis Bali Hotel, a Doa selamat was read by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awg Abd Aziz Juned.

His Majesty gave a titah at the Seventh Bali Democracy Forum yesterday.

During the opening session, Indonesian President Prof D Hj Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono listed three key components of a democracy.

“Political development, socio-economic progress, and public participation are the three essential and complementary elements that support a working democracy,” he said.

The president said an area where all three components intersect is in the battle against corruption. “(Corruption) is an evil threat that threatens to paralyse democracy,” he told the forum, which was also attended by Philippines President Benigno Aquino III.

After the opening session, His Majesty joined the heads of state and heads of delegations for a group photo.

Later, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam attended a luncheon hosted by the Indonesian president at the Nusantara Toom of the Bali International Convention Centre.

Accompanying His Majesty in Bali were Second Minister of Finance at the Prime Minister's Office Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Rahman Hj Ibrahim, and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng.

The Brunei Times