Jakarta - Indonesian Culture and Tourism Affairs Minister Jero Wacik and Bruneian Minister for Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Dato Haji Awang Mohammad signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cultural cooperation between the two countries at Merdeka Palace here on Tuesday.
The MoU was signed in the presence of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei.
In a joint press conference after a bilateral meeting of the two state leaders, both President Yudhoyono and the Sultan of Brunei were of the opinion that the MoU would serve as a cohesive force to strengthen to bonds of brotherhood among the peoples of the two countries.
President Yudhoyono and Sultan Bolkiah at the bilateral meeting reiterated their commitment to stepping up energy, defense, and economic cooperation in addition to cultural cooperation.
They said such cooperations was in line with the Cooperation and Friendship Agreement in Southeast Asia, and the principles of international law and justice.
On the occasion, President Yudhoyono encouraged his guest to consider purchasing such strategic products from Indonesia as CN-235 aircraft and various armament systems.
Meanwhile, Sultan Bolkiah also invited Indonesia to invest in Brunei Darussalam.
Both leaders also welcomed the existing cooperation between PT Elnusa and PetroleumBrunei in the oil sector and environmental sector through the Hearth of Borneo (HOB) cooperation framework.
Yudhoyono stressed that HOB would serve as an effort to combat illegal logging activities and trade in illegal wood.
During his three-day visit to Indonesia, Sultan Bokiah was accompanied by his wife, HM Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha, and children, HRH Prince Haji Abdul Malik, HRH Princess Hajah Muta Wakkilah Hayatul Bolkiah, HRH Princess Hajah Hafizah Su`urul, and HRH Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al Islam.
While in Indonesia, the sultan is scheduled to play badminton at the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) sport hall in Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.
And at 7 on Wednesday morning, Sultan Bolkiah and President Yudhoyono would go jogging around the National Defense Forces (TNI) Headquarters building in Cipayung before witnessing a hostage-rescuing demonstration by members of the Indonesian Air Force`s elite unit, Bravo-90.
Source: www.tradingmarkets.com (24 April 2008)
