BRUNEI-MUARA

THE “special” relationship between Brunei and the United Kingdom will continue to flourish with the renewal of arrangements to maintain the long-standing presence of the British Brigade of Gurkha in Seria.

During an event to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 89th birthday, British High Commissioner David Campbell said 2015 had been a special year for relations between the UK and Brunei.

In February, His Majesty the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, renewed arrangements for the Brunei Garrison – comprising soldiers from the Royal Gurkha Rifles – to be maintained in Seria for another five years.

“The Gurkhas from Nepal have a special connection with both the UK and Brunei. This has been seen most recently in the strong government and public response to help those affected by the recent devastating earthquakes in Nepal. Practical assistance included the rapid dispatch from a Bruneian medical team,” said the ambassador during the event held at The Empire Hotel and Country Club.

His Majesty also attended the Gurkha pageant and dinner in London last week to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Gurkha service to the British Crown.

The reception yesterday also featured a traditional Gurkha ‘Kukri’ dance, the ‘kukri’ being a distinctive curved knife from Nepal.

The event was attended by several members of the Brunei government and business community, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

Attending as guest of honour was Minister of Finance II, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Hj Abd Rahman Hj Ibrahim.

The Brunei Times