By Sahbirin Tarif
ISTANA NURUL IMAN, Monday 4 February 2013 – His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) has consented to receive an audience the Commander of United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), His Excellency Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III.
Accompanying His Excellency were RBAF Commander, Major General Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin. Also present were the Ambassador of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Daniel L. Shields, Colonel (Rtd) Pg Dato Paduka Haji Azmansham bin Pg Haji Mohammad, Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Defence (Defence Policy and Development) and Dato Paduka Haji Hamdan bin Haji Abu Bakar, Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office.
On a separate occasion, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha also consented to receive in audience the spouse of Commander USPACOM, Mrs. Pamela A. Locklear. She was accompanied by the wife of US Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, Mrs. Sangeeta Shields and wife of Royal Brunei Navy Commander, Datin Dayang Hajah Umiyati binti Haji Mohd Noor.
The three day introductory visit by His Excellency aims to strengthen the friendly relationship of both countries and to extend the importance of defence cooperation of respective armed forces.