On behalf of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, the second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, signed a condolence book for the late Mr Nouhak Phoumsavanh, a former President of Laos and a founding member of the ruling Communist Party of the People's Democratic Republic of Lao, yesterday.

The signing of the condolence book took place at the People's Democratic Republic of Lao Embassy.

On hand to greet Pehin Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng was Mr Somdy Bounkhom, the Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Lao to Brunei Darussalam.

Mr Nouhak Phoumsavanh passed away at the age of 98 on Tuesday after suffering an illness.

According to the state news agency, KPL, Mr Nouhak was an "able and wise politician" and considered to be the No 2 figure in the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party from the late 1950s until the 1990s. He served as the country's president from 1992 to 1998. - Borneo Bulletin (15th Sept 2008)