Sultan Ibrahim and Queen Raja Zarith Sofiah Meet Malaysian Community in Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan, The Gulf Observer: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, met with members of the Malaysian diaspora in Brunei during a special afternoon reception on Sunday, October 13. The royal couple arrived in Brunei earlier that day at 11:25 a.m. for a three-day official visit, which will conclude on Tuesday.

The event, attended by approximately 300 Malaysians, included prominent businessmen, members of the Malaysian Citizens Association, and Persatuan Kebajikan Melayu Se-Malaysia. The royal couple was accompanied by Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Sultan Ibrahim, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, and Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Brunei, Datuk Mohd Aini Atan.

During the reception, Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah participated in a photo session with the staff of the Malaysian High Commission and mingled with the Malaysian community in Brunei, taking time to interact personally with attendees before departing the ceremony.

In his welcome speech, High Commissioner Datuk Mohd Aini expressed his gratitude for the royal couple’s presence, calling it a significant event that highlighted the enduring and close relationship between Malaysia and Brunei. He also noted that the visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Mohd Aini praised the approximately 25,000 Malaysians residing in Brunei for their contributions across various sectors, including the economy, medicine, education, law, finance, and technology. He emphasized the High Commission’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Malaysians abroad, while affirming the community’s loyalty to the Malaysian monarchy.

“We pledge our undivided loyalty to Tuanku,” Mohd Aini stated, expressing the collective sentiment of the Malaysian diaspora in Brunei.

Azlan Ahmad, president of Persatuan Warganegara Malaysia in Brunei, shared his excitement about the royal visit, which marks Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah’s first state visit to Brunei since ascending the throne in January. He conveyed the honor and joy felt by the association’s members, many of whom have been part of the Malaysian community in Brunei for over 30 years.

The visit underscores the strong bond between Malaysia and Brunei, as both nations continue to build on their longstanding diplomatic ties and shared history.