His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha arrived in Kota Kinabalu yesterday to begin a three-day official visit to Sabah.

Accompanying Their Majesties are HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik, Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hjh Masna and YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Sufri Bolkiah were present at the Brunei International Airport to bid farewell to Their Majesties.

Also present to bid farewell were Cabinet Ministers, members of the LegCo and other senior government officers.

The royal entourage were greeted on arrival by Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah, Governor of Sabah and his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Dayang Masuyah binti Awang Japar, Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman, Chief Minister of Sabah, and his wife, Datin Seri Panglima Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin, as well as other senior officials of the Sabah state government.

Also present at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport were Dato' Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari, Malaysian High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam and his wife, as well as Pg Abd Samad Pg Hj Metasan, Consul General of Brunei Darussalam in Kota Kinabalu and his wife.

Their Majesties were accompanied by Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah and Toh Puan to the royal dais to receive the royal salute. The national anthems of Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia were played followed by the Sabah state anthem, while a 21-gun salute was fired.

His Majesty was then led by the Governor of Sabah to inspect the guard of honour. A 'doa' was read by Sahibus Samahah Datuk Haji Ahmad Alawi Haji Adnan, the State Mufti of Sabah.

Their Majesties were then introduced to senior officials of the Sabah state government and witnessed a traditional welcoming performance.

Soon after, Their Majesties started the programme of their visit by attending a luncheon hosted by Musa Haji Aman and Datin Seri at a leading resort in Kota Kinabalu. Their Majesties were accompanied by HRH Prince 'Abdul Malik, HRH Princess Hajah Masna and YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz.

In the afternoon, His Majesty accompanied by the Governor of Sabah attended a briefing on the tourism industry in Sabah and the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) at the Tun Mustapha Tower at Likas Bay.

His Majesty was briefed on Sabah's tourism industry by Tengku Zainal Abdlin bin Tengku Mahamood, Chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board and on the SDC by Executive Director/Chief Executive of Institute for Development Studies, Datuk Dr Mohd Yaakub bin Haji Johari.

The SDC, launched by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on January 29, 2008 is intended to attract local and international investors to invest in Sabah with the main focus on industry, tourism, agriculture and biotechnology.

Meanwhile, in a separate programme, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha attended a gathering hosted by an organisation of the wives and staff of the Malaysian Civil Service (PUSPANITA), several other female senior officials and members of the Welfare Body of Wives of elected Representatives (BAKISA).

The gathering took place at the Marina Club, Sutera Harbour. Her Majesty was accompanied by Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Dayang Masuyah binti Awang Japar, wife of the Governor of Sabah. Her Majesty was also accompanied by HRH Princess Hajah Masna.

Their Majesties attended a State Banquet at the Banquet Hall, State Legislative Assembly Building last night.

The State Banquet was hosted by Tun Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Ahmadshah bin Abdullah and his wife in honour of Their Majesties' visit to Sabah.

During the State Banquet, a cultural show was performed.

The visit by Their Majesties is at the initiation of the Governor of Sabah. His Majesty last made a visit to Sabah in 2001. During this visit, His Majesty will tour the Royal Malaysian Naval base situated at Sepanggar Bay, which is the second largest naval base in Malaysia. Their Majesties will also go to Sandakan on the second day of the visit. - Borneo Bulletin (4th Feb 2008)