Brunei sultan and his wife to visit Singapore, will have orchid named in their honour

SINGAPORE: Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah will make a state visit to Singapore from Wed (Aug 24) to Thursday at the invite of President Halimah Yacob.

The sultan is going to be accompanied by his wife and other members of the royal family, as well as Bruneian ministers and senior officials, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Tuesday.  

This will be the particular sultan’s fifth condition visit to Singapore, using the last visit coming in 2017.

During their visit, the sultan and his wife may have a new orchid cross,   the Dendrobium Hassanal Saleha, named in their honour.

They will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Istana and call on Madam Halimah, who will host a state banquet within their honour.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Mrs Lee will also contact and host lunchtime for the Brunei sultan and his wife. They are going to receive a courtesy call from Deputy Perfect Minister and Fund Minister Lawrence Wong and Mrs Wong.

During their visit, the sultan will also visit Sembawang Air Base, hosted by Defence Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) Ng Eng Hen.

Earlier this month, Brunei’s overhead prince Al-Muhtadee Billah made an official visit to Singapore . The overhead prince, who is the senior minister within Brunei’s Prime Minister’s Office, led a delegation to the  8th Singapore-Brunei Youthful Leaders’ Programme (YLP).

The program is a key platform for young Singaporean and Bruneian market leaders to interact and build ties with each other.

Mr Lee and his wife went to Brunei in July to attend the sultan’s  76th birthday celebration celebrations .  

During their visit,   Mr Lee received The Most Esteemed Family Order (Darjah Kerabat Laila Utama). The order is awarded to members of royalty, foreign rulers and individuals who have rendered important services to the sultan of Brunei.

Mrs Lee received The Most Distinguished Purchase of Paduka Seri Laila Jasa (Darjah Paduka Seri Laila Jasa) – 1st class. This order is  awarded to individuals for outstanding services to the sultan and the state.